ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE: Chanel Thervil
The Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture’s current Artist-in-Residence Chanel Thervil is focusing on creating a celebratory public art project capturing the likenesses and spirit of some of Arlington’s Black community members – living, working, or going to school in the town. At a time when social and racial justice challenges are urgent around the nation as well as here at home, our goal is to shine some light on our town’s diverse Black community.
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE: Nilou Moochhala
The Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture’s spring 2021 Artist-in-Residence Nilou Moochhala has created a 2-part public art installation exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the community of Arlington.
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE: Michelle Lougee
The Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture’s first artist-in-residence project brings highly regarded sculptor and fiber artist Michelle Lougee to town to create a large-scale collaborative public art project with the community for the Minuteman Bikeway to draw attention to plastic pollution in our oceans.
POET LAUREATE: Steven Ratiner
In August 2019, Mr. Ratiner was appointed as Arlington’s third Poet Laureate. He brought with him an ambitious plan for poetry events and projects. When public events became difficult due to COVID restrictions, Ratiner created a poetry project called Red Letter Poems, a group effort that reached an ever-widening circle of readers who appreciated the momentary respite of poetry to distract from challenging times.
FOX FESTIVAL
An annual parade celebrating urban wildlife, creativity, community, and the Fox Library. Join in — take a workshop or make a costume or banner at home. The Fox Festival is the official kick-off event for the Feast of the East — a June East Arlington annual celebration hosted by local restaurants and businesses.
GARAGE BAND
Garage Band is a post-PorchFest pop-up dance party, a celebration of community, and a gathering in an unusual venue, the Arlington Global Service Station, a classic auto service station that has become, thanks to input from neighborhood artist Johnny Lapham, a public art landmark in the heart of Arlington’s Cultural District.
LIVE ARTS ARLINGTON
Live Arts Arlington is organized annually in partnership with artists of all kinds, designed to encourage public performance and creation in the Town. Live Arts is a project of the Programs & Festivals Committee, formed by the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture.
CHAIRFUL
Artists and neighborhood “craftivists” transform chairs destined for the landfill into works of art! Support public art in Arlington by buying a chair!
YOUTH BANNER PROJECT
Arlington youth share their creativity with the community on street banners.
BIRDHOUSES
Public art in Magnolia Park takes shape in whimsical handmade birdhouses.
UTILITY BOXES
Vibrant public art on streets and corners townwide, sponsored by businesses throughout Arlington.
MURALS
Temporary and permanent art on walls!
PATHWAYS 2019
Public art on the Minuteman Bikeway in the Cultural District (between Swan Place and Linwood Street)
BIKEWAY HAIKU
A community-based haiku project featuring poetry inspired by the Minuteman Bikeway.
PATHWAYS 2018
Public art on the Minuteman Bikeway in the Cultural District (between Swan Place and Linwood Street) previously on display.
BUS SHELTERS
Artists created vibrant temporary designs in bus shelters along Massachusetts Avenue in conjunction with the Town’s Bus Rapid Transit Lane pilot.
ART ROCKS MENOTOMY
Art installations in Menotomy Rocks Park
ART ROCKS SPY POND
Art installations in the park at Spy Pond
