A visionary program committed to enriching our urban landscape through captivating public art installations.
2023 MURAL INSTALLATION:
GENERATIONAL SPIRIT
HarborArts X East Boston Main Streets installed a large-scale mural in September 2023 on the facade of the East Boston Social Center at 68 Central Square, East Boston. This collaborative new landmark will be a beacon of neighborhood pride, featuring the work of Eastie artists Silvia Lopez Chavez and Felipe Ortiz.
ARTIST STATEMENT
In the months leading up to the painting of this mural, community members were invited to share with us, what makes Eastie special to you? One response came from a youth who lives in East Boston, who shared that what makes Eastie special to them is “people looking out for each other.” This became the inspiration for this mural.
“Eastie is a thriving neighborhood that has a lot to say. Being part of this environment, sharing the energy, and connecting with the creative spirit of the neighborhood has been amazing. It’s special because we’re all here to see the neighborhood come alive.”
—FELIPE ORTIZ
“Listening to the people who live here, it was clear there’s a lot of pride in their strength, and for people helping one another. It’s our job, as artists, to communicate that sentiment, through generations of strength, layers of knowledge while tying in the pride and joy that makes up East Boston. This all ties into the community around the East Boston Social Centers and the generations of people who have made it special.”
— SILVIA LÓPEZ CHAVEZ
A PILOT INITIATIVE IN EASTIE WITH EAST BOSTON MAIN STREETS
Our mission is to breathe new life into local communities by strategically placing engaging sculptures, vibrant murals, and interactive artworks in our Main Streets.
By doing so, we directly empower businesses, attract a surge of foot traffic, and fuel economic growth. Join us in creating a visually stunning EAST BOSTON that celebrates the arts and propels businesses to thrive in a more beautiful, vibrant, and economically prosperous environment.
PUBLIC ART ENLIVENS AND IMPROVES CITIES, AND ADDS VALUE TO PUBLIC SPACES.
HarborArts has set out to create the Beautify Main Streets pilot initiative in collaboration with East Boston Main Streets. By funding and supporting creative placemaking in and around businesses and in our squares, Beautify Main Streets will to enable our businesses, nonprofits, and neighbors to collaboratively participate in and capitalize on the beautification of our Main Streets. Together, we will reinforce positive growth of our thriving business district.
OUR OBJECTIVES
Empower the community to take ownership and pride for our public spaces;
Preserve small businesses with heightened visibility and increased foot traffic;
Support East Boston’s creative economy by developing programs, partnerships, and funding streams that make art and creative placemaking in East Boston more viable and sustainable;
Promote the initiatives of EBMS, our partners, and the neighborhood through enhanced publicity and PR.
Murals & Public Art
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Culture Tours
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Creative Activations
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Signage & Wayfinding
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Events & Pop-ups
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HARBOR ARTS HAS HAD AN IMMENSELY POSITIVE SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ECONOMIC IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. COUNTLESS FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE EXPRESSED TO ME HOW MUCH THEY TRULY ENJOY THE PUBLIC ARTWORKS THAT MATT POLLOCK AND THE ARTISTS BEHIND HARBORARTS HAVE CURATED. I AM CONFIDENT IN THEIR COLLABORATIVE VISION AND THE ABILITY OF THEIR PRODUCTION TEAM TO BRING SUCCESSFUL AND MEANINGFUL INSTALLATIONS THAT WILL ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
-Adrian Madaro, State Representative
Make a donation.
Beautify Main Streets is a self-sustaining initiative. As part of our commitment to the neighborhood, we are developing lasting partnerships and a patron community that support the continuation of this work and the preservation of public artworks in East Boston.
Donation Platform Coming Soon
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