The first time he tried hanging art on the bare brick walls of the Access Gallery on Tappan Street, Fred Free wasn't all that picky.

"For the first show, I told the artists to feel free to bring whatever they had and we'd put it on the wall," Free said.  "I was just trying to build awareness of the space. For the second show, I decided to have a call for art, so I sent out emails requesting art that represented the theme of 'summer.'  It was still a broad theme, but we were beginning to hone in from 'bring whatever you want.'"

For the third show at the gallery, which is located in the lobby of the Brookline Access Television studios, Free has asked Brookline artists to submit pieces conforming to the narrower theme of "architecture." Called  "The Architecture Show," the display will run through Jan. 7, 2011, and features a variety of artistic mediums, all representing the potential for innovation and creativity in architecture.

"We have just about everything," said Free, an artist who has volunteered to organize the shows. "Photography, painting, acrylics, oils and watercolors, glasswork, sculpture, sculptural relief on the wall, mixed media. With so many different pieces, we get a wonderful range of artists this way."

The Access Gallery was opened in early 2010 after BATV moved from the Old Lincoln School on Boylston Street to its new home in Brookline High School's Unified Arts Building.  Free, recognizing the great opportunity for local artists, volunteered to lead the organization of the exhibits.    

"BATV allowed us artists to exhibit our work for free, and if an artist is to sell anything, BATV will not take a cut," Free explained. "In a gallery, they always take a cut. And the more spaces available for local artists to show their work, the better."

Though the latest exhibit has a narrower focus than the earlier shows, Free said many types of artists, from photographers to those who work in mixed media, are represented. He estimates there are 22 pieces are currently on display, including one from Free himself.   

"I do have a piece up there, but I'm a mixed media artist and I realized that I didn't really have anything that pertains to architecture," said Free, a graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design.  "But I used to be an architect, so I dug up a drawing from years ago."

Other pieces on display include Jenn Mason's "You Are Here," an inviting and colorful gelatin print and collage; Beth Fagan's "Newport—Ocean Drive" which is a peacefully beautiful watercolor on paper; and Milan Kilc's bold "Bridge OM," which is a wood and stainless steel piece. Each piece on display is available for sale and can be viewed at Access Gallery from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. on week days.

Free is excited about the future of the gallery and hopes to retain artists who have participated in Open Studios, while extending the invitation to participate to other area artists.

"My hope is to do a show every few months, work with different themes," Free said. "There is nothing pinned down yet and I'd like to hear from other artists and maybe have some guest organizers come in."