Category celebrations

Costumes Add to the Energy of ‘No Kings’ Event on Boston Common, October 18

Across the vast vista of people on that bright October day, a great variety of signs and colorful costumes heightened my hopes throughout the rally. Here are a few photos of many engaging characters who enlivened the event. For photos of some selected statements, visit updates on Signs of the Times. For context, data, and dramatic photos, explore links in KEY RESOURCES.

“PlanTable” in Chin Park Serves Many Important Purposes

Quotes and photos below focus on a few features. Links at the end lead to more. “At a time when cities like Boston face intensifying summer heat and widening environmental disparities, PlanTable offers a living, participatory response—merging ecology, culture, and community in one dynamic space. This multidisciplinary project, presented in partnership with Pao Arts Center, emerges from a deep collaboration between artists, designers, community advocates, and climate thinkers. ” ( Quote from Greenway Public Art, PlanTable)

Arts Enhance Action in Boston Labor Day Parade, 2025

Costumes, displays, banners, posters, music and dance relate to the theme: Workers over Billionaires!

Glad to be there and then go through many photos. Here are a few examples of statements people made in different ways.

Plant Party Grows Creative Interactions Inspired by Give & Take Mural

Here are quotes, notes, links and photos from a truly fulfilling evening, July 15, 2025: Rooted Together, Plant Party, from 5 to 6:30. The event was planned around Little Free Greenhouse, one of three swap boxes in Give & Take, outside Harvard Ed Portal, 224 Western Ave., Allston.

Extinction Rebellion Mural in Arlington: Powerful, Beautiful, Mysterious, Compelling

My visit to this compelling mural in Walgreen’s parking lot at 324 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA on March 22 expanded my awareness of what people can do with art. The video below, about the completion celebration in October 2024, gives very valuable background. I hope the quotes, links and photos convey the mural’s powers.

Mosaic Mural at Drake Village Features Local Wetlands Plants and Animals

Quotes, Video, Photos and Resources here, with hopes to follow up about this impressive project:
“In our last mural celebration this season, a ribbon-cutting was held at Drake Village in Arlington Heights — site of an installation of large-scale mosaics created in an inspiring collaboration of senior residents and Arlington Public High School Students. ” (quote from ARTS ARLINGTON newsletter Dec 2024)

The Lexington Women’s Monument by Meredith Bergmann Brings Together and Celebrates Many, Many Inspiring Stories

My first and only visit to the monument so far was for the artist’s enlightening talk on Dedication Day, May 18. I plan to return often, eager to absorb everything sculptor Meredith Bergmann’s amazing artwork offers. Meanwhile here are quotes, resources and a few photos to guide your own visit, online or in person.

Art and Science Enlighten Us in a Not-quite Total Eclipse

Without the dramatic light changes of a total eclipse, this party in Kingsley Park offered creative ways to engage with and understand the significant event above us. I was impressed with the availability of learning resources and supportive volunteers. Here are a few photos of what I glimpsed when I wasn’t peering through eclipse glasses or other devices.

Last Days of DeWitt Godfrey’s Lincoln at DeCordova Connected Past and Future

Farewell Lincoln (150 feet long, Cor-ten steel and bolts, installed 2012) events, October 22,2023
De-installing Lincoln October 23, 2023:
It is simpler for me to select from photos of two final days with Lincoln than from so many moments through more than a decade of great days in deCordova Sculpture Park. I hope to do a future post with significant overview of Lincoln, plus other newer artworks by DeWitt Godfrey. The good news after Lincoln has gone is that its numerous cylinders can become parts of exciting new sculptures in other alluring destinations.

Amal, Twelve Feet Tall, Set Out from Massachusetts in September on a Two-Month Walk West across the Country

Here are moments from the one event I experienced. It forcefully conveyed the effort and impact of Amal’s many visits throughout that first day. Greg Cook’s Wonderland post is a wonderful visual document of those starting events in Boston and Cambridge. The title is Little Amal, Giant Puppet Depicting Refugee Girl, Begins Journey Across U.S. Be sure to link to that! Then for a full overview with important details, past, present, and future of Amal’s walks since 2021, delve into Walk with Amal! (maintained by The Walk Productions and Handspring Puppet Company)