Public Art Lifts the Lynn Community

IT’S HAPPENING HERE Public art lifts the Lynn community

48 FALL 2017 gatewaysmag.org FONKi’s mural at 18 Munroe Street

words HANNAH CHANATRY photos LLYR JOHANSEN

FALL 2017 49 gatewaysmag.org As we're led on a tour of downtown Lynn, a local driver slows, sticking his head out his truck window to call out to our group. "Hey Al, they look great!" Al Wilson, bearded and a bit dishev- to light the MBTA underpass with col- eled, grins and stretches out a hand in ored LEDs, place a collection of vintage gratitude. neon signs along the sidewalks, and put “Thanks, brother!” a GE jet engine sculpture installation in The driver is referencing the loom- a to-be-determined location. ing murals in front of us, in various Public art is notoriously difficult. stages of completion. They are the flag- Even when attempted, it is not always ship project of Beyond Walls, Wilson’s successful. But Beyond Walls’ key move creative placemaking initiative in Lynn, was to involve the community from the Massachusetts. The truck driver is one start and make Lynn’s citizens central to of many to stop him on the street of- the development, planning, and execu- Al Wilson, executive director of Beyond Walls, stands in front of two fering excitement and congratulations. tion. murals and Lynn’s public garden. “This makes me so proud to be from “Beyond Walls did well by having here!” exclaims Diana Vasquez, a men- community conversations and business giants, Lynn was hit with economic toring coordinator at La Vida Scholars conversations,” says E. San San Wong, decline, increased homelessness and Americorps in Lynn. Flanked by two Director of Arts and Creativity at the an increased presence of social services. friends, she gazes wide-eyed at a white Barr Foundation. “It engenders a sense The current poverty rate in Lynn is 21 washed wall, where Angurria is perched of ownership — people feel a relation- percent. atop a car-sized hydraulic lift. Angurria, ship [to the project] already.” The resulting negative perception an artist from the Dominican Republic, In Lynn, creative placemaking — has been persistent. However, the is spray-painting huge swaths of color the intentional use of the arts in place- city’s urban structure and commercial that will eventually form a woman’s based community development — is downtown made it a prime candidate face. being used to address economic, safety for MassDevelopment’s Transformative Angurria’s mural is one of 15 clus- and perception issues. Lynn is a for- Development Initiative (TDI). tured downtown, designed to be seen mer industrial city. In the 1800s Lynn The TDI program uses targeted from both street level and the city’s was considered the shoe capital of the investments and partnerships spear- raised MBTA rail. The content ranges world with over 200 shoe factories, and headed by fellows on the ground to re- from people and words to traditional General Electric, which still employs vitalize Gateway City communities. Joe styles of graffiti, and they flow from one Lynn residents, has been in the city Mulligan III, one of the inaugural TDI to the next, as if in procession through since before World War I — the first fellows, has been in Lynn since 2016. the streets. American made jet-engine was made “80 percent of my time is spent in Beyond Walls is tackling placemak- here, and so were some of the fuel cells Lynn,” says Mulligan, who likens the ing on a massive scale. In addition to the for the Gemini spacecraft. match up of fellows and their respective murals, there are in-progress initiatives But like many former industrial cities to speed dating. He came to the

50 FALL 2017 gatewaysmag.org NS/CB’s mural at 33 Central Street emerges from Lynn’s skyline.

Transformative Development program with a background in architec- The feedback prioritized a handful ture and matched with Lynn in part be- of issues — safety near the MBTA un- MassDevelopment is the Common- cause of its substantial urban structure. derpass, development of local business, wealth’s economic development “I’m always trying to meet [people], and engagement of the sidewalk space and finance authority, a quasi-public organization working to stimulate understand [the community], and get a to increase downtown’s walkability. business and drive economic growth. sense of living in the downtown area.” “It was clearly the mission of Beyond MassDevelopment implemented MassDevelopment had already con- Walls to improve the lives of the people the Transformative Development ducted community meetings and de- who live and work here now, and attract Initiative (TDI) pursuant to C. 289 signed action strategies for Lynn, which a change to the narrative of Lynn,” says Acts of 2014, legislation promot- were then used as the groundwork for Wilson. ing economic growth across the Wilson’s project. Capitalizing on that Those issues directed the four prongs Commonwealth. MassINC’s relent- foundation and collaborating with of Beyond Walls: LED lighting in the less research and commitment to Mulligan, Wilson hosted more meet- underpass, neon signs on the sidewalk, transformative development strategy, ings to determine Beyond Walls’ trajec- a historic sculpture installation and the put forth in a 2013 white paper, was instrumental to the legislation’s tory. Though he already had public art banner project, 15 public murals paint- adoption. in mind, he wanted to ensure whatever ed by international and local artists. The TDI program uses targeted they created actually met the commu- Funding is a major obstacle to pub- investments in compact, strategically nity’s needs. lic art of any kind. In Lynn, the hous- located areas within the Gateway Cit- “It feels really great that Al spread a ing authority’s nonprofit arm served ies to increase local public/private en- net to include the whole community,” as Wilson’s fiscal agent. This gave him gagement, spur economic activity, and says Carly McLain, executive council access to a multitude of grant applica- promote and improve an overall quality for the Lynn Housing Authority and tions, including the Commonwealth of life. Twenty-six Gateway Cities were member of the Beyond Walls commit- Places Program. The rollout of this eligible for the 3-year pilot program; tee. “I love it here, and it’s nice to see partnership connected Wilson to the 10 were selected, including Lynn. other people join in that enthusiasm.” first member of his team, Amanda Hill.

FALL 2017 51 gatewaysmag.org Don Rimx, 129 Munroe St/515 Georgia Hill, 85 Munroe Street Washington Street (backside)

Marka27, 31 Exchange Street Cey Adams, 65 Munroe Street

Angurria, 516 Washington Street Bruce Orr and Good to Go, 129 Munroe Street/515 Washington Street

52 FALL 2017 gatewaysmag.org “I WAS looking for someone [to] help state representatives Daniel Cahill and the boardroom in relentless pursuit of with the operational side of things,” Brendan Crighton sent letters detailing funding. Wilson appeared in person says Wilson. They had connected their support. for every appeal for donations or grants once before through RAW Artworks, a “The arts have become an import- over $1,000, meeting with local banks Lynn-based nonprofit using art therapy ant part of the economy in the down- and credit unions as well as individual to reach at-risk youth. Hill joined the town, says Representative Daniel Cahill businesses. project as a volunteer associate direc- in a statement. “The support of the “In Lynn, the business leaders are tor, eventually leaving her role at RAW community has been tremendous and optimistic,” he says. He would meet Artworks to dedicate herself to Beyond I truly believe that this is a great step one-on-one with the decision makers Walls full time. forward as we continue to revitalize the of the companies, discussing their busi- Next to join was Pedro Soto. downtown area.” ness, their connection to Lynn, and “Pedro is a fantastic young guy who The final Beyond Walls volunteer finally asking for their support at a spe- immediately bought into the project,” committee totaled 24 people: Hill, Soto cific monetary level. says Wilson. and 21 residents and business owners, Every meeting, even those that Soto is a Lynn resident with a back- with Wilson as Executive Director. didn’t result in funding, built a valuable ground in urban planning and project It specifically included members that relationship. Wilson stresses that the management. “I felt really excited about represented the breadth of diversity in key strategy was to end the week with offering my skills and experience to downtown Lynn. more meetings on the schedule than a project right in my backyard,” says “I wanted [the community] to see when he started. Soto. we had a representative from the various “You always have to be selling and Soto, of Puerto Rican descent, is also cultural groups and institutions here.” keep a robust pipeline,” he says. “Don’t a Spanish speaker, making him essen- Cultural representation was also be discouraged by the no.” tial to successfully communicating the translated through the art, as Wilson In all, Wilson held approximately 50 Beyond Walls mission to the one-third emphasized a selection of not only di- of these meetings. of downtown Lynn that is Hispanic. verse artists, but also artists whose sub- He persuaded other organizations In addition to Lynn’s residents, ject matter features people of color. to contribute not only funding, but Beyond Walls received support from “Many of the murals are representa- also in-kind labor. The International local and state government figures. tions of the various ethnic groups that Union of Painters and Allied Trades Through the MassDevelopment part- call downtown Lynn home,” says Soto. DC 35 and International Brotherhood nership, state senator Tom McGee and “I felt that this project would serve as a of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local source of empowerment for little boys 103 both provided physical support: Commonwealth Places and girls that identify as minorities.” the painters supplied the primer and The Commonwealth Places Program That emphasis on representation prepared the walls for the artists, and is a MassDevelopment and Patronici- drew Soto to the project. the electrical workers plan to lend their ty partnership helping local residents “This is a community of color,” says expertise to the installation of the neon crowdfund support for place-based Wilson. “This downtown is a majority and underpass lighting. community projects. MassDevelop- minority area, and it should feature art Special events also contributed to ment backs successful proposals that is reflective of that community.” the fundraising effort. Beyond Walls with a 1:1 matching grant of all hosted a meet-the-team event at the crowdsourced funds up to $50,000. Lynn Museum, attracting over 200 peo- To receive the grant, projects must Beyond Walls required ple, and the Blue Ox, a local restaurant, reach their proposed target within 60 LAUNCHING the collective efforts of the team, but hosted an evening with a specialty cock- days. The majority of funding for Beyond the driving force is Al Wilson. Wilson tail, the proceeds of the drink going to Walls came from smaller donations exudes captivating charisma. He engag- Beyond Walls. to the Patronicity campaign. They es strangers with the friendliness of an Boardrooms and business meet- surpassed their goal of the maximum old and close friend, often interrupting ings are nothing new for Wilson, who $50,000 within 16 days. his own narrative to draw attention to a came to Lynn from the private sector. “Al took it beyond expectations,” particularly striking mural. Working for a Chicago-based start up, says Joe Mulligan, the TDI Fellow in It’s a quality that has served him he opened the company’s Boston of- Lynn. “The Commonwealth Places well, allowing him to float comfortably fice in 2014 and moved to the North Program gave him the launch he between the community, the artists at Shore. His morning commute took needed.” work, and among business leaders in him through Lynn and re-oriented him

FALL 2017 53 gatewaysmag.org Temp & Relm, 173 Oxford Street

to the city — he grew up in Walpole, level — this guy takes asphalt with some he was there when they discovered Massachusetts and spent his childhood broken down warehouses and he says in the Beastie Boys, Mary J. Blige,” says on the soccer pitch playing against five years I’ll have this cultural Mecca, Wilson. Adams also created album teams from Lynn. despite the fact that we’re inland, away covers and advertising campaigns for After two years, the company need- from the hotspots. You’d think this guy Run DMC, Public Enemy, Notorious ed him to close a number of offices and was crazy, but it happened.” B.I.G., and Maroon 5. relocate to Chicago. Instead, Wilson “He’s got the best stories,” adds walked away. Wilson. “I didn’t want to go through laying SELECTING the artists for the Beyond Adams also exhibits and lectures in people off, I’d done that several times Walls murals was an arduous process major New York art institutions, in- over. To be honest, I was burnt out,” he — street art is a world-renowned art cluding MoMa, the Brooklyn Museum, says. “I was left feeling empty. I made form with distinctive styles and genres, and New York University. Despite money, and that was a good run, but and the committee approved the best. his celebrity status, in Lynn he was as what did we really do at the end of it? They also required that those artists be much a part of the team as anyone. He What change or impact did we have on representative of the cultural diversity responded to the open application and people’s lives?” in Lynn, looking specifically for artists stayed in the Salem State University Staying on the North Shore, Wilson who were themselves part of those cul- dorms alongside the other artists while shifted his focus, prioritizing the pur- tural groups. painting. suit of community impact. After releasing an open call for Some artists were brought in on di- Wilson’s inspiration for Beyond proposals, Wilson and the committee rect appeals, like Temp, who was a high Walls came from a trip to Wynwood accepted 50 applications from both priority get due to his local ties. Temp Walls, a Miami industrial zone ware- domestic and international artists and grew up in Lynn, and was a prolific house district turned street art desti- made a number of direct requests for street artist in the 1980s, putting work nation. It began in 2009, spearheaded work. They finalized a list of 15 artists on many of the surfaces now being used by the late Tony Goldman, with six whom they considered to be at the top in Beyond Walls. Known for distinctive warehouse walls, and has since expand- of their field. abstract lettering — his talent also ex- ed to include over 80,000 feet of walls, One artist is Cey Adams, a distin- tends into traditional forms of sketching unfurling into the surrounding neigh- guished Brooklyn-based graffiti artist and painting — Temp’s work became so borhood. and industry giant, famous for his work well known in the street art community “I thought, what a cool story,” says as the founding creative director of Def that Lynn claimed its own identifiable Wilson. “It’s a really vibrant communi- Jam Recordings. style. Beyond Walls artist Caleb Neelon, ty, with tons of commerce on the street “He did the cover for LL Cool J, based in Cambridge, subsequently doc-

54 FALL 2017 gatewaysmag.org Inspiration While working through ideas for Beyond Walls, Wilson also looked at placemaking locally and overseas. Worcester has implemented a number of cultural development and public art programs. The Public Art Working Group, a subset of the Worcester Cultural Coalition, commis- sions large-scale public art, including a 2014 mural by Beyond Walls artist Caleb Neelon. The working group also supported the 2016 Make Art Temp, a Lynn native, works from a Everywhere campaign, which provides hydraulic lift to paint his mural (opposite) opportunities for local artists to contribute to permanent and temporary public art installations, helping to identify Worcester as a creative city. In London, Futurecity founder Mark Davy works to implement arts and culture strategies into primarily prop- erty-based development. Futurecity creates placemaking strategies for singular projects, navigates partnerships with local cultural institutions, and works with international artists and designers to commission major public art and architecture installations, both temporary and permanent. Their portfolio includes Richard Wilson’s Slipstream, an internation- ally acclaimed sculpture installation in Heathrow Terminal 2, Mark Wallinger’s White Horse, a 50-meter installation in Ebbsfleet Garden City and Glass Mill, a multi-colored building façade in Lewisham, London. FONKi takes a break to talk with a bystander Cedric “Vise” Douglas and Julez Roth, 114-120 Monroe Street umented “Lynn-style,” in the “History of American Graffiti.” “This is my home, so [Beyond Walls] is super special for me,” says Temp. “They did it right. It puts some smiles on people’s faces, brightening the city. Downtown came to life.” Temp’s mural is a partnership with Relm, another local Lynn artist who Temp mentored in the 1990s. The painting has elements to appeal to both younger and older generations of their hometown. The foundation is built from graffiti style lettering, and it features a jet plane in homage to Lynn’s industrial roots — the city plated a major role in aviation development, and GE built the first American-made jet engine in Lynn.

FALL 2017 55 gatewaysmag.org DESPITE the expressed interest, there continues. “Doing public work, you’re committee, or No Fun Committee as were significant challenges that could going to have doubters and critics. I they became known, handled all legal have stalled or even stopped the proj- think what’s been really interesting is components. This included wall agree- ect. For one, the subjective nature of art to see as the art’s gone up, those parties ments with building owners, insurance, can make public installation difficult. have really started to embrace it in a big licensing of the murals to the artists and “The challenge with art is what way.” a promise to keep the murals up and emotional response it evokes is based The logistical challenges were also intact for one year. on the individual,” says Wilson. “And significant, and made up a large part of “The building owners, who own when you have condo associations, or the committee’s efforts. the walls, they’re the unsung heroes,” building owners who have been here for While searching for artists, the team says Wilson. “They had to believe in it, some time [and] get stuck in the what-if had to ensure they had the proper can- agree to it and put up a piece knowing scenarios, it’s a challenge.” vases — the walls themselves. They that if [it] wasn’t collectively viewed as The building being used for Temp’s identified 62 walls, then Wilson began positive, they’d get the wrath.” mural, for example, nearly wasn’t an working various channels to pin down Even with building agreements in option. The building owners were hes- the final 15 plus back-up agreements. place, space caused more complications. itant, so Wilson brought them to the These couldn’t be just any walls. Each artist uses a car-sized, motorized Beyond Walls office to show them the The spaces needed to be visible from hydraulic lift with an extendable arm plan for their wall. multiple vantage points and work in that often takes up space in parking The husband didn’t like the sketch. conjunction with one another. They lots. In the case of Temp’s wall, on top His wife did. also needed to be appropriate for each of access agreements and insurance, “Inside I’m double fist-pumping be- artist’s style. Marka27, for example, they needed residential approval to cause I know that’s the decision maker a Mexican artist, only does extremely take over parking spaces and to let the right there!” says Wilson, laughing. large-scale work — his canvas needed to adjacent building, which shares the lot, “And ultimately, the husband is be one of the tallest buildings in Lynn. know of what they were doing. coming to the site three times a day. The committee itself formed small- “There are a lot of boxes to check,” He’s taking photos and is so excited,” he er groups based on skill sets. The legal says Wilson.

Team Rekloos: Brian Life, Brand Rockwell & Raodee, 69 Exchange Street

56 FALL 2017 gatewaysmag.org WASHINGT

ON ST ESSEX ST 129

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Angurria Dominican Republic 1A LYNNWAY 516 Washington Street Bruce Orr and Good To Go (RAW) Lynn 129 Munroe St/515 Washington Street Lynn residents and visitors attend a festival celebrating Caleb Neelon Boston the finished murals. 33 Munroe Street Cedric ‘Vise’ Douglas and Julez Roth Boston 114-120 Munroe Street Cey Adams New York City 65 Munroe Street David Zayas Puerto Rico 65 Munroe Street Don Rimx Miami 129 Munroe Street/515 Washington Street back side FONKi Montreal 18 Munroe Street Georgia Hill Australia 85 Munroe Street Marka27 New York 31 Exchange Street Miss Zukie & JPO New York City and Connecticut 16 City Hall Square NS/CB (Nicole Salgar and Chuck Berrett) Florida/New York 33 Central Street Tallboy (Chris Coulon) and Brian Denahy Lynn/North Shore 31 Spring Street Team Rekloos: Brian Life, Brand Rock- well, and Raodee Boston 69 Exchange Street Temp & Relm Lynn/North Carolina 173 Oxford Street

FALL 2017 57 gatewaysmag.org David Zayas, 65 Munroe Street

58 FALL 2017 gatewaysmag.org Personal challenges abound as well, and it changes the conversation. It re- “This project has been a great source stemming from how much of himself verses the conversation of cities.” of pride for folks who call Lynn home,” Wilson has thrown into the project. “[Beyond Walls] is wonderful in the says Soto. He has committed to this as a full-time walls they chose — some of them ap- “It’s bigger than the artists and this occupation and he does not make any pear to be in conversation in one anoth- moment,” explains artist Marka27, money doing so. More than anything er,” Wong, from the Barr Foundation, whose mural features a young child though, he fought against self-doubt. says. “The execution and mastery of of color. “You’re thinking about the “On any given day, I have literally work, and the stories they’re telling of 10-year-old who will grow up with this. every emotion you can have as a hu- community — it makes you rethink It’s long-term.” man,” says Wilson. where it is you’re standing.” Angurria has already noticed this “The hardest part is the stuff that with his mural. comes into your head when you’re fall- “The child saw it, came back with ing asleep at night. You’re doing some- CREATIVE placemaking has both mom and dad,” says Angurria in a mix thing people don’t quite understand, quantifiable economic benefits, and of English and Spanish. “They said, and yet publically, you have to have a the less easily quantified but equally ‘Look here Mom, it’s Grandma!’” persona of no doubt.” important impact of vitality and hu- “Everyone says thank you,” he adds. Al took a moment to reflect. man presence. In Lynn, even before “I’m happy. I’m proud.” “I had a career, and I had a lot of the murals were complete, both forms “It’s the little moments,” says parties that were looking to what I were evident. Wilson. “Finding that couple in front was doing next,” he says. “They have Local businesses increased traf- of the piece, getting people to celebrate, a trajectory, and you’re stepping away fic during the week of painting, and finding the people who were really from that. I had business mentors that some have sustained that growth. The against it are suddenly [on board] — I I think…I don’t know if they could get White Rose Coffee Shop, which added think the highest praise you can get is it.” an extra business day during painting, when all parties are collectively taking But then there are the moments that has since reported an increase of three responsibility for it.” assure him of his choice. Wilson tells times their prior rate of weekend com- With the murals done, Beyond Walls the story of finding a couple in front of merce. They’ve hired two additional is not finished. They’ve now moved into FONKi’s mural, a beautiful rendering staff members to handle the uptick in the final design and approval stages for of a Latina woman against a brick wall. business. the underpass lights and are preparing The couple had been high school sweet- In late 2017, Beyond Walls will re- to install the neon signage. The team is hearts in Lynn — now married, they lease a full report on the economic im- also looking to file paperwork in 2018 lived in New Hampshire, but had come pact of the project. to become a fiscally independent entity. back to Lynn to see the mural festival. “I think the tide has risen for all par- When everything is complete, When Wilson came across them, ties,” says Wilson. Wilson is looking forward to tackling they were crying. Michael Mageary, Lynn’s Chief of even more creative placemaking. He “They just never thought something Police, has also noticed changes in the plans to do so while staying local and like that was going to happen in Lynn,” look and feel of the city’s downtown. bringing his work into other equally he says. “I can definitely see improvement,” deserving communities. This is a common refrain, and one he says. “I was walking in uniform, “I’d like to stay in the space,” says of the critiques of some public art: it is and I noticed the cleanliness around — Wilson. “I’d like to stay in Lynn, con- so often put in places that don’t neces- there’s positive impact here.” tinue doing work [here], but I’ve got sarily need it. “Beyond Walls has done an amaz- some visions for the other Gateway “Why do we have to only put ing job of highlighting Lynn’s proud Cities. Ultimately what we’re doing [is], public art in places that are already and diverse community,” says State we’re putting art on walls, and we’re proud,” asks Kate Chertavian of Kate Representative Brendan Crighton in putting lights up in areas that are cur- Chertavian Fine Art. “The idea that a statement. “These murals in Lynn’s rently dark. We’ve got this.” just because you live in a community growing public art scene beautify our that’s outside the mainstream means neighborhoods, inspire our youth and you don’t have an eye for beauty? I find attract thousands of visitors.” that rather offensive. Wilson, the team and the artists “Put great, meaningful and relevant involved are happy to see the positive art in communities that are underserved impact ripple through the community.

FALL 2017 59 gatewaysmag.org