Arts Arlington - Utility Boxes Program

Brattle and Hemlock Streets. Artist: Jill Strait
Massachusetts Avenue and Medford Street. Artist: Sonya Quinlan-Khan
Medford and Warren Streets. Artist: Adam Adkison
Brooks Avenue and Lake Street. Artist: Renee Majkut
Gould Street at Spy Pond. Artist: Jeff Disko
Massachusetts Avenue and Cleveland Street. Artist: Zeinab Chaichi
Massachusetts and Highland Avenues. Artist: Melissa Chaney
Massachusetts Avenue and Lake Street. Artist: Kaitlin Longmire

TRANSFORMING ARLINGTON’S STREETS

The Town of Arlington continues its years’ long effort to transform some of the utility boxes that sit on our street corners and sidewalks into unique works of art. These boxes keep our town ticking, holding traffic light controls, cable connections, electric transformers, and more. The Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture invites artists to submit original designs on a theme. The selected artists take it from there, making their vision come to life and transforming the dull metal boxes into inspiring pieces of art. The coordination, logistics, and promotion are all handled by Laurie Bogdan, an Arlington artist who has led this effort since 2021.

This project began in 2014, when Arlington Public Art, began commissioning local artists to design and paint some of the many utility boxes on our streets. When ACAC was formed, the commissioners adopted Public Art’s mission and found that this project was a relatively inexpensive and temporary way to improve the streetscape while engaging community members to appreciate the simplicity of accessible public art. All past artists have reported that they enjoyed the experience of painting in public and talking to passersby as they worked. ACAC endeavors to create art for utility boxes each Spring. If you are an artist, please tune in to Arts Arlington early springtime, where we promote a Call For Artists with a brand new theme!

“Laura Buscemi is a multimedia illustrator and designer from the greater Boston area who enjoys introducing vibrant, surrealistic, and playful visuals into daily life. She received her BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2024 and has been utilizing the quality of human touch in her work as she advances her career. No matter the medium she decides to work with, her style of texture based mark making remains prevalent and is a reflection of the craftsmanship involved with each piece. Blending what is real with what is imagined, she allows the viewer to perceive their surroundings in a different light. One way she connects with her audience is through public artworks where she helps to transform neighborhoods and engage with the public. Her work can be found throughout the city of Boston and beyond since focusing on large scale paintings in 2021. In 2022 she worked with the GN Crew to paint a 3 story mural inside the main atrium of MassArt to help inspire students and guests entering the campus. That same year she participated in the Paintbox program through the City of Boston where she designed and installed an original sunflower artwork on a utility box to liven up what is normally a dull, gray cube. In 2023 she helped install 3 murals on the MassArt campus after receiving design input from different departments. In 2024 she assisted with the installation of a mural on the walls and ceiling of a newly constructed carousel house at Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon, MA to bring an enchanting animal atmosphere to those on the ride. She then received the Vice President’s Award from MassArt for her illustration displayed in the All School Show gallery and earned the Illustration Departmental Award from the same institution. When she’s not creating artwork for the public, she is working with clients as a freelance illustrator where she enjoys the variety of creative opportunities that come her way. With every project she expands her knowledge and techniques as there are always new variables to take into consideration. Her body of work and collection of portfolios can be viewed on her website (laurabuscemiart.com) or on her Instagram page (@the.angelic.artist).”

“Primarily an illustrator, I’ve expanded between multiple mediums over the last 5 years and now focus my creative energy on painting and playing music. I live in Somerville, MA where I continue my painting practice within the hallowed halls of the Vernon Street Studios. Since 2017, I’ve continued to work as a professional art handler within museums around New England, and far beyond. When I’m not working, I seek local, community-based art initiatives that help express the range of ideas and talent held within our colleagues and neighbors – I believe everyone has a well of artistic strength that often goes ignored unless it’s nurtured and explored.”