Public art initiative for us all

Project Summary

  • This initiative aims to support the addition of public art and placemaking activations in Brookline’s commercial areas.

  • Public art and placemaking installations are valuable tools for enhancing commercial area identity and attracting customer foot traffic needed to aid local businesses’ COVID recovery.

  • In April 2022, Brookline’s Select Board allocated $225,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to fund public art and place making activations in Brookline’s commercial areas.

  • The need for more visual vibrancy in Brookline’s commercial areas to create a richer in-person sensory experience, as well as make Brookline’s main streets more photogenic (i.e. “Instagrammable”), was identified as a priority in the Town’s Rapid Recovery Plan.

  • An excerpt of the Rapid Recovery Plan’s “Art in Found Places” project, which was the basis for this initiative, is linked here for reference.

  • In addition to the photo examples included in the Rapid Recovery Plan excerpt, some additional examples of potential commercial area public art or placemaking installations include murals, mosaics, sculptures, decorative utility boxes, lighting installations, and sidewalk art.

2022 Recap

  • Early September 2022: Steering Committee first convened.

  • Late September 2022: The new public art initiative was renamed Brookline Art Makes Community (BAMC) and a logo and website were created as well.

  • October 2022: In preparation of new public art installations, BAMC created a Public Art Directory and Map of existing public artwork in Brookline’s commercial areas.

  • November 2022: A Community Engagement Event was held at the Beacon Street Art Gallery in Coolidge Corner for the Brookline community to learn more about this new public art initiative, while contributing input on preferred types of public art, as well as potential locations for public art installations.

  • December 2022: An online Public Art Interests Survey was conducted to seek additional input from the extended Brookline community on preferred types of public art, as well as potential site locations for public art installations.

2023 Recap

  • Q1 (Jan-Feb-Mar) 2023: Program categories were formulated and feasibility inquiries were made on preferred types of public art based off of the results from the online Public Art Interests Survey that was conducted in November-December 2022. 

  • Q2 (Apr-May-Jun) 2023: A project update and Public Art Placement Plan was presented to the Select Board and final requests were approved internally. 

  • Q3 (Jul-Aug-Sep) 2023: Calls for artists released for the Boxes Around Town (Wrapped BoxART and Painted Boxes) and Art Around Town programs. All of the 3 open programs had over 30 applicants each. In total, we received over 100 applicant submissions from over 70 artists and artist groups. An Artist Selection Committee was also created with help from the BCA. This selection panel met to decide on artist awards and final artwork designs. 

  • Q4 (Oct-Nov-Dec) 2023: Boxes Around Town (Wrapped BoxART and Painted Boxes) artists chosen and utility box artwork installed and painted. Art Around Town proposals were also selected and there will be future meetings with the artists to discuss next steps. An Arts & Culture News Flash was created to share updates regarding the BAMC public art initiative, as well as other arts and culture news in Brookline. A First Look at First Light event was held at the Coolidge Corner Arcade Building to celebrate the new Boxes Around Town (Wrapped BoxART and Painted Boxes) artworks, as well as a chance to meet all 10 artists and the vendor who helped make the Boxes Around Town programs possible. 

BAMC in the News!

Boxes Around Town

Turkeys Around Town

  • Brookline.News

  • WBUR (NPR Boston)

  • WBZ News (CBS Boston)

  • Boston.com

  • The Boston Globe

  • WHDH 7News (Boston, MA)

  • WFFT (FOX) FOX 55 News (Fort Wayne, IN)

  • KWWL (NBC) NBC News 7 (Cedar Rapids, IA)

  • WFXT (FOX) Boston 25 News (Boston, MA)

  • WBZ-TV (CBS) CBS News (Boston, MA)

  • WALA (FOX) FOX 10 News (Mobile, AL)

  • WBTSCD (NBC) NBC 10 Boston News (Boston, MA)

  • KOAA (NBC) NBC News 5 (Colorado Springs, CO)

  • WBNS (CBS) 10TV News (Columbus, OH)

  • KEZI (ABC) KEZI 9 News (Eugene, OR)

  • KMSB (FOX) FOX  11 News (Tucson, AZ)

  • KYESLD (CBS) Morning Edition (Anchorage, AK)

  • KATHLD (NBC) Morning Edition (Juneau, AK)

  • KTUU (NBC) Morning Edition (Anchorage, AK)

  • WECPLD (CBS) News Channel 7 (Panama City, FL)

  • WJHG (NBC) News Channel 7 (Panama City, FL)

  • KATU (ABC) KATU News (Portland, OR)

  • NECN (NBC) NBC 10 Boston (Boston, MA)

Large fiberglass sculpture of a turkey painted as a peacock
Large fiberglass sculpture of a turkey with a paisley and dot and wave pattern and flowers
Large fiberglass sculpture of a turkey with a flower motif painted upon it
Large fiberglass sculpture of a turkey with a pattern of repeating food and icons

Turkeys Around Town

Spring 2024

Round 1

The Turkeys Around Town program invites local artists to apply to paint fiberglass turkey sculptures that will be installed in commercial areas across the town. As a tribute to the unofficial mascots of Brookline, BAMC introduces a new addition to its repertoire: personalized fiberglass turkey sculptures. Inspired by the iconic "Cow Parade," these turkey sculptures will add a touch of whimsy and charm to Brookline's commercial areas. Artists are encouraged to submit proposals for designing and decorating these avian canvases, bringing their unique vision to life. These painted turkeys contribute to the vitality of the urban streetscape by playfully paying tribute the unofficial mascots of Brookline. 

Turkeys Around Town is a program of the Brookline Art Makes Community (BAMC) public art initiative. BAMC was first launched in 2022 by the Town of Brookline’s Economic Development Division in conjunction with the Small Business Development Committee (SBDC) and the Brookline Commission for the Arts (BCA). 

The goal of the Turkeys Around Town program is to beautify commercial areas using personalized fiberglass turkey sculptures as artworks. As the Town invests more in public art, Turkeys Around Town could become a great opportunity for artists looking to better Brookline's public art footprint, and to become more familiar with the public art commissioning process in Town.

Selected Artists:

  • Lydia Roy - "Floréal Turkey" at St. Mary's (St. Mary's MBTA Stop)

  • Liz LaManche - "Bird of Harmony" at Harvard Street (Ridley Green)

  • Amanda Hetrick - "Plume in Bloom" at Brookline Village (Brookline Village MBTA Stop)

  • Christine Winship - "Mr. Gino O'Paisley" at Route 9 (Washington & Walnut)

  • Howie Green - "Rainbow Gobbler" at Beacon Street (Beacon & Webster)

Map of the first 5 Turkeys