Work by Stephen Fredette on display at New Alliance near Union Square in Somerville. (Photo: Claire Ogden)

Just as Greater Boston says a tentative goodbye to winter weather, New Alliance Gallery’s “Heavy Holidays” exhibition holds its closing reception Friday. Nestled next to Union Square’s beloved Market Basket and Little India grocery stores, New Alliance has a punk, DIY feel and embarrassment of art space riches, including a gallery, three music production studios and five visual artist and fabricator workspaces.

This is the third home for New Alliance Audio (established in 1987) and New Alliance East (1997). (Near the entrance is a set of notes from a 2019 Cambridge City Council meeting and council statement that it is “incredibly unfortunate that these successful local businesses could not remain a part of the Central Square Cultural District.”) After two displacements, it’s inspiring what owners Nick Zampiello and Alvan Long have been able to accomplish.

“Sunburst Fray” by Georgia Kennedy at New Alliance. Height was added to the wall in this image during retouching.

“Heavy Holidays” is eclectic. Black-and-white with the occasional yellow accent, Stephen Fredette’s wood sculptures contain creatures that are fantastical and cartoonish; he also makes the worlds on which the creatures sit. A table holds a three-headed ram and a monster with a prominent jaw and googly eyes. In Marissa Cote’s sculpture “bear/born” (2022), bright pink yarn and metal chain intertwine, holding up a large anchor. One of experimental filmmaker Lilan Yang’s works is projected onto one of the space’s many corners. Many works use recycled materials, including Georgia Kennedy’s colorful post-consumer fiber pieces. Like much of what is on view, Kennedy’s works vibrate with attitude and energy.

The exhibition was met with a lively opening concert in December – hopefully its closing will be just as impressive.

The gallery is available by appointment. To book a time, email [email protected]. (Ask for an artist’s phone number when making an appointment. Since it is mainly a studio space, the doors are usually locked. You’ll need to be let in.)

New Alliance Gallery, 438R Somerville Ave., near Union Square, Somerville

Share your own 150-word appreciation for a piece of visual art or art happening with photo to [email protected] with the subject line “Behold.”