The following is a guest post by Jennifer Ingham, a New-England based freelance writer and digital marketing consultant. Jennifer is a regular contributor for Discover Central Massachusetts and has published several articles about public art opportunities in the area.
Due to COVID-19 safety restrictions, Greater Boston community residents are spending more time than ever close to home. Their options for art experience remain limited with the closing of museums, creative labs, cultural hubs, and art and community centers. Chances for spontaneous interactions with others are few and far between, yet one art form continues to serve as a vehicle for community building, collaboration, and communal storytelling.
Public art allows us to believe we are not alone. We also know that public art doesn’t need to be permanent or a long, extracted process, as demonstrated recently with the successful One Leather District community public art project. Over two hot and humid summer days this August, 19 volunteers grabbed their rollers and went to work in 2-hour shifts, painting stencils designed by renowned artist Silvia López Chavez on a stretch of glass panes at 125 Lincoln Street and 88 Beach Street in the Leather District.
Throughout their time spent together creating, safety was top of mind with volunteer artists distancing themselves and wearing their masks at all times. For some, this was the closest they’d been to another person outside of their quarantine space since the pandemic began.
The idea for #OneLD was born from conversations between Leather District residents Kate Gilbert of Greater Boston public art organization Now + There headquartered in the Leather District, Aaron Luckman of the Museum of Fine Arts, and Noam Ron of Hudson Group, with Boston-area artist Silvia López Chavez, four individuals closely connected to the art and community development space. The project’s intention has always been to bring hope to passersby through the visual communication of color and shape. A vibrant feast for the eyes meant to spark joy.
“Public art is an offering to people. My greatest hope is that in some way their spirits are lifted when they see what we’ve accomplished as a group of committed individuals." - Silvia López Chavez, Artist
The Leather District is a mixed-use community just east of Chinatown home to a variety of commercial and residential tenants. The nine distinct blocks receive a heavy amount of foot traffic on a typical day and are noted for their nineteenth-century brick warehouse structures.
“The silver lining of the COVID-19-related shutdowns has been collaborating with my neighbors and getting to know the neighborhood I live and work in, brick by brick. My hope is that this can be an easily replicated project that inspires other communities to come together and transform their vacant spaces.” – Kate Gilbert, Leather District resident and Executive Director of Now + There, Inc.
With each color block created in support of #OneLD, something intangible was created along with the artwork. The final product evokes feelings of interconnectedness, with stencil patterns inspired by architectural details like ironwork, found in the area. Warm orange, brick red, blues and greens were chosen intentionally, not only to be complimentary but to catch attention through standing out of the sea of grey, brown and black found on the block.
“Hopefully Silvia’s artwork is a burst of color and positivity for people during an otherwise difficult time. Her process has made me look more closely at all the small building ornamentations around the Leather District that I’ve probably passed a thousand times.” – Noam Ron, Leather District resident and Partner, Hudson Group
Photos are popping up on social media from people who want to know more about the people behind the artwork. The positive momentum has motivated funders and community leaders to invest in another four paint days later in mid-September at 186 South Street and other spots. Scaling this idea has always been in the back of the minds of the creators who have project-managed the opportunity from the beginning.
“Ultimately, we hope to invite other artists to propose similar innovative and temporary ideas to bring vibrancy to the Leather District in the time of physical distancing. It’s a lot to manage a project like this but once there’s a system set up it's easy and you wouldn’t believe how many people come forward to help.” – Aaron Luckman, Leather District resident, Art Handler, MFA Boston
Public art is intended to be accessible. You don’t have to pay admission or wait in line to see it. You can often turn a corner and unexpectedly stumble upon an artist’s contribution. Public art is also temporary in nature. Walls are eventually painted over and sculptures disassembled, meaning public art lives the longest in the minds of those who have experienced them, giving the artwork new meaning. Bringing art directly to individuals and families and spreading happiness during this time of uncertainty remains the goal.
So, next time you put your mask on and head outside, consider making your way to 125 Lincoln Street in The Leather District to see the murals for yourself. Take in the rainbow of colors and shapes and leave with renewed hope.
If you are interested in volunteering for a future Now + There public art project including their next installation September 13-16, please click here to sign up or reach out to Kate, Noam and Aaron at LDmuralproject@gmail.com for more information.
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