The Star Store, of course, is the neoclassical 1915-built former department store in downtown New Bedford where the UMASS Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts has been located since 2001. Though the school could have purchased the building for $1 it fumbled and mismanaged the leased property owned by Paul Downey and never maintained by either the landlord or the tenant. In true NB fashion it had a local member of The Machine installed in a no show job to manage the property to the sum of 120k annually.

The art students suffered and paid tuition to learn in this neglected building that had no climate control and a leaky roof water collected in large plastic trash barrels and or funneled away from studio spaces and offices. When it closed they cried "Save the Star Store" from the loss of this dysfunctional muse in which they studied within the urban satellite campus.   

In May of 2025, the 501c3 nonprofit Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston and its Creative Land Trust Program acquired the Star Store in downtown New Bedford for the purpose of reimagining and reactivating the building as a public resource to benefit artists, makers, creators, and small creative businesses.

Printed locally on Gildan G500L Ladies Heavy Cotton™ 5.3 oz. T-Shirt in Womens Sizes S, M, L, XL,

• 100% preshrunk cotton

• Feminine 1/2" rib mid scoop neck

• Sideseamed with slightly tapered missy fit

• Taped neck and shoulders

• Cap sleeves for comfort

• Double-needle stitched sleeves and bottom hem