Flyer by Kat Nijmeddin

To the Front and Allston Pudding have a big thing in common: we’re constantly working to create space for underrepresented artists in our industries. To the Front started as a small, one-off show in Erica Lauren and Courtney Coles’ home city of Los Angeles last year and has quickly grown to a traveling photo exhibit showcasing the music photography and art of female and non-binary individuals. Erica states, “I met Courtney several years ago. We were at a music festival and at different stages in our music photography careers. Fast forward to last year when I had come off of a tour and had been injured, but I wanted to go and see Courtney. She was a part of an exhibit which highlighted women of color. That’s when… we both just bounced the idea off of each other.” What started with a group of friends, Erica, Courtney, Carly Hoskins, and Danielle Parsons, grew to something bigger, and it keeps growing. This month, To the Front takes over Zone 3 in Lower Allston to showcase music photography from around 40 different photographers. Some are from all over the country, but they’ve also made sure to highlight photos from local photographers as well.

What stands out most about To the Front is their DIY idealism. They have a sense of community within the photography world. The days of fighting for space in the photo pit are over.

“A lot of the time it does feel like, not even in photo but in music, that there are one or two non-dudes in a job. People pit them against each other like there’s not enough room if you’re not this typical employee… You feel originally that there is not enough space for everyone but that’s what the whole point of the project is. Why aren’t we supporting our peers? We should be. We should celebrate their work and tell them, ‘hey I think your photos are great!’” Erica said.

And she’s right.

The opening ceremony is this Thursday, April 26 at 6pm at Zone 3. Our good friends Lilith will be performing. When asked about how they chose Lilith, both Erica and Courtney said it was through recommendation of their mutual friend and connection Jamie Coletta. Courtney says, “I trust Jamie with everything, because she has such a good ear and is a great person. So anyone who Jamie sides with, I’m always like they must be awesome they must be great. Go with that.” The music community is so tight-knit for those of us out here that aren’t cisgendered men. We have to stick together, and support one another, and that is exactly what To the Front’s mission is whether it’s with their own project or opening doors within the music industry for opportunities for others to create their own spaces.

“I think there’s probably 40 people involved at this point, and we’re just trying to grow it until hopefully more projects will spring up, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be under To the Front. It could be someone has a similar idea, and they want to have their art shown in their city. It’s highlighting non-binary and female artists. That’s the ultimate goal I think. It’s to continue to grow it in its own way without us just having to specifically keep finding large spaces to have our show at.”

Courtney says that that has been a big part of her own contribution since she is in art school and stuck in phoneless classrooms and art critiques a lot. “We’re totally not straying away from DIY because of having it in an actual gallery… We don’t want to stray too far from it all, but we also aren’t opposed to it being in bigger spaces. We want to have more photographers and more artists, and with bigger spaces, the more people we can fit. At first we were so afraid… we love these small venues. But it got bigger and it’s just like how do we make all of this fit appropriately.”

To the Front in Brooklyn at Silent Barn

The exhibit also donates to a local charity, and Erica and Courtney are working to find one that fits their mission best. In past shows, they’ve donated to local charities that uplift artists of color, and they’re hoping to do that again in Boston.

The show may be growing, but the idea and goals are still so much larger than the show itself. To the Front is just the beginning of what we can do to push the industry to be more inclusive. When asking how we can foster creativity in a male-dominated industry and give a platform for non-cisgendered male voices, Erica and Courtney both agree: don’t give up. Be present.

“I live in Los Angeles where it shouldn’t be as difficult, because it is a little more diverse but at the same time, there are still aspects of that here and I just learn [not to take] no for an answer. Do what you have to do. And no matter how many times you get it, you can’t give up as an artist until you do get the magazine you want or [find] a different way to showcase your artwork, which is what we’re doing with To the Front. I think in Boston, if you’re not an artist, and you want to support other artists, a way to help is when they’re having art shows… go support them.”

It’s as simple as Courtney says, but we all need a reminder.

Go see To the Front while it is open Thursday, April 26 to just before Boston Calling begins. Zone 3 will be hosting some events throughout the month, and the exhibit will be open to the public Saturdays and Sundays 11am-4pm from April 28 to May 24.

To the Front Boston Opening Reception
with an acoustic performance by Lilith

Thursday, April 26

Zone 3
267 Western Ave.
Allston, MA 02134

FREE | all ages | 6-9pm | fb event