Bentley is undergoing many construction projects, from the Adamian Building to the Dana Center. Still, a quieter and less expensive addition has emerged at the very heart of campus. Right outside the Collins Creative Center, a charming little art gallery stands, inviting a different kind of interaction. This is not just another building project; it is a FLAG (Free Little Art Gallery), and it represents an expansion of the university’s creative initiative.
The brainchild of recent graduate Laila Altanbour ’25, the gallery began as a passionate project to leave a tangible, lasting mark on the Bentley community. When asked how the idea originated, she explained that she was inspired by a friend, Kellie Irvin, who built a community fridge. Motivated by the spirit of community building and the desire to create something permanent, she brought the gallery to life.
After sitting on the idea for a while, she moved without further hesitation, transforming a mere idea into a campus attraction. This summer, the vision moved from blueprint to reality. With assistance from her dad, Laila hand-built the intricate little art gallery from start to finish, going with the flow and simply allowing her vision to come to life.
The project arrives at a time when Bentley’s creative community is expanding. It serves as a unique, inclusive platform designed to engage everyone, from students and faculty to campus visitors. For Laila, art transcends mere aesthetics, it is about crafting work imbued with deep meaning. She describes art as an exciting part of life, “to just view other people’s art and get inspired to create my own.” The gallery warmly welcomes all mediums, from paintings and pottery to poetry, photography, and beyond.
A primary goal of this initiative is to unveil the hidden talent residing within the Bentley student body. The gallery provides an adventurous platform for artists to share their work, whether signed or anonymous. The gallery also allows any passerby to take a piece of artwork that truly uplifts them, creating a continuous cycle of inspiration and gratitude.
Central to the gallery’s mission is community building. Laila emphasizes the importance of keeping it stocked with gratitude cards, noting, “thank you notes are crucial in college and especially at a school like Bentley.”
These thank you cards are there for times when someone wants to express gratitude, to remind others to constantly be grateful for where they are at in life and their support system. The gallery is intentionally designed to spark joy, offering a break during times of dullness.
The gallery’s first collection debuted work featuring photography, handmade watercolor birthday cards, inspirational quotes, and handmade thank you notes, establishing a variety of work to be viewed and shared.
The Free Little Art Gallery has an active Instagram presence, @hatchndispatch. Followers are encouraged to interact with the page, sharing their experiences by DMing the account to post pictures of the artwork they were compelled to take or the new pieces they have left for others to discover.
Take a moment to stop outside of Collins and explore. View the current artwork on display. If a piece speaks to you, feel free to take it. If you’re feeling inspired, create something new to leave for the next person. View, take, leave! Do all three, or just two, but at the very least, go view it.
