In Spring 2026, ArtsArlington and our partner, the Mystic River Watershed Association, are inviting the community to co-create a public art project celebrating the return of the herring to the Mystic River and our local creative spirit.
Introducing GO FISH!
GO FISH! is a participatory mural project for residents of all ages. In collaboration with local partners, ArtsArlington will offer free workshops inviting community members to paint a fish, with a goal of creating 2,000 uniquely painted herring.
The finished herring will be installed on the exterior brick walls of local storefront businesses in groupings that pedestrians can discover as they walk through town. The work will embody the incredible diversity of our vibrant community as well as the positive good we can accomplish by working together.
Join a Fish Painting Workshop!
GO FISH! workshops will take place throughout the spring of 2026. All ages and experience levels are welcome to participate. We will provide the “fish” (a printed outline of a herring printed on special aluminum material), brushes, and acrylic paint. Imagination and creativity do the rest!
Many community groups are already planning to participate in GO FISH! workshops, including the Arlington Public Schools, the Arlington Housing Authority, the Arlington Recreation Department, and several local arts organizations and small businesses.
You can join a scheduled workshop to participate in creating the herring, or sign up to host a painting event for your organization.
Upcoming Workshops
For workshops including children, anyone under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, April 25, 2-3 pm to 3-4 pm
Arlington Center for the Arts,
20 Academy St, Arlington Center
Ages: 6+
Registration suggested. Register here.
Sunday, April 26, 3-4 pm (Full) and 4-5 pm
Roasted Granola Café, 1346 Mass Ave, Arlington
Ages: All
Registration strongly suggested. Register here.
Sunday, May 3, 12 pm to 1:30 pm
Mystic Open Studio, 785 Mass Ave, Arlington
Ages: 6+. Led by Ann Wynne.
More info and registration coming soon
Saturday, May 9, 1 pm to 3 pm
Edith M. Fox Library, 175 Mass Ave, East Arlington
Ages: 4+. Led by public art curator Cecily Miller.
Register with the library for this event.
Sunday, May 10, 12 pm to 1:30 pm
Mystic Open Studio, 785 Mass Ave, Arlington
Ages: 6+. Led by public art curator Cecily Miller.
More info and registration coming soon.
Saturday, May 16, 10:30 am to 12 pm
Old Schwamb Mill, 17 Mill Lane, Arlington
Ages: 6+. Led by public art curator Cecily Miller.
More info and registration coming soon.
Sunday, May 17, 11:30 am to 1 pm
Mystic Open Studio, 785 Mass Ave, Arlington
Ages: 6+. Led by public art curator Cecily Miller.
More info and registration coming soon.
Monday, May 18, 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Robbins Memorial Library, 700 Mass Ave, Arlington
Ages: 12 to 112
Led by Arlington artist Adria Arch.
Register with the library for this event.
Past Workshops
Tuesday, April 22, 10 am to 12 pm
Mystic Open Studio
Tuesday, April 21, 2 pm to 4 pm
Maxima Hive
Monday, April 13, 7 pm to 9 pm
Mystic Open Studio
Saturday, April 11, 10 am to 12 pm
Mystic Open Studio
Saturday, April 4, 2 pm to 3:30 pm
Mystic River Watershed Association
Sunday, March 8, 3 pm to 5 pm
Maxima Hive View photos
Wednesday, March 4, 12 pm to 1:30 pm
Arlington Center for the Arts View photos
Saturday, February 28, 10 am to 12 pm
Mystic River Watershed Association View photos
Learn More
Interested in participating in a planned workshop, or hosting one at your organization? Contact Cecily Miller, ArtsArlington Public Art Curator, email: cecily.apa@gmail.com, phone: (617) 331-1715.
About Return of the Herring
Every spring, a major migration moves through the heart of Greater Boston, invisible to most people. From early April through June, more than 500,000 river herring from the Atlantic Ocean return to the Mystic River, where they were born.
Over the several years, this herring population has gone from endangered to robust thanks to a combination of government protection, nonprofit organization initiatives, and volunteer efforts. Since 2012, the herring that make their annual voyage from Boston Harbor up the Mystic River to spawn has more than tripled – from 200,000 to 640,000 in 2024!
Project Supporters
Many thanks to all the generous supporters who made Go Fish! possible. We received a grant through the Cultural District program of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), a state agency. A generous donation from FloorSignage, LLC/Alumigraphics made it possible for us to use their innovative temporary mural material. We received additional grant support from the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture, a local arts agency supported by the MCC. Paint supplies generously contributed by Blick Art Materials/Central Square. Finally, our work would not be possible without the ongoing generous support from the Town of Arlington and our local business and individual supporters, plus the time, energy and enthusiasm donated by our community volunteers!
Project Partners
Mystic River Watershed Association
Mystic Open Studio
Arlington Public Schools
Extinction Rebellion
ArtLinks
Arlington Housing Authority/Drake Village
Arlington Center for the Arts
Robbins Public Library
Edith M. Fox Library
13Forest Gallery