Community art, open space projects, and the importance of urban trees | Waterfront Ambassadors photo diary
The third week of the One Waterfront summer youth program, Waterfront Ambassadors, began with the continuation of a “Greetings from My Boston” postcard project with BSLA’s Gretchen Rabinkin.
For the second leg of the project the Ambassadors went out into their communities to take photos of gathering spaces, and spent time thinking about the value of these spaces, as well as how they might be designed to be welcoming spaces for all. This work will help to prepare the group for a community engaged art project being done in partnership with local artist Carolina Aragón.
Additionally, the teens met with Michael Slagle from Speak for the Trees (SFTT) to learn about the interesting and impactful work his organization focuses on. Specifically, SFTT works to address unequal distribution of trees in Boston by donating trees in neighborhoods where they are sparse. He led the Ambassadors in a project to help educate their local communities about the kinds of trees nearby and their benefits. To do this, the Ambassadors measured the trees on their street, identified them, and researched the benefits of those trees. Next week will see the group return to each tree they identified and write a message in chalk about one of its benefits, highlighting varieties including: Ginko, London Planetree, Swamp White Oak, Crabapple, and Honey Locust.
In a local focus, the Ambassadors had the opportunity to meet with East Boston Greenway Coordinator Michelle Moon and landscape architect María de la Luz Lobos Martínez to learn about the history of the East Boston Greenway and how it was built. Last year’s Ambassadors group had the opportunity to pitch in with gardening and stewardship work along the Greenway, so the returning Ambassadors especially enjoyed seeing some of the results of their hard work. Michelle and María detailed the history of the Greenway, the volunteer engagement that continues today, and discussed with the teens the importance of having strong community engagement in open space projects, both as they're being built and to maintain them in the years to come.
The week wrapped up with a session with Janelle Woods-McNish, Trustees Managing Director of Community Impact. She shared sections of a webinar called Green Space, White Space, discussing racial injustice in open spaces, and engaged the Ambassadors in a discussion about how racism operates on many different levels (internalized, interpersonal, institutional, and systemic), and how being able to identify those different levels can help better center racial justice in open space work.
Coming up, the group is focused on creative outreach components—so stay tuned for community surveys on waterfront parks and open space! Below we feature some of the photographs the Ambassadors took in their third week, in and around their neighborhoods, including some images of an art activity inspired by Andy Goldsworthy’s work, and nature.
Brittany R: This was my creation of Andy Goldsworthy-inspired art. After looking at some of his artwork, I grew excited to see what I could create. I dug out different leaves, weeds, and rocks from my backyard and freestyled the design. I wanted to create a focus point in the center to draw attention, as well as create some contrast. For my first time, I surprised myself so I will definitely try this again!
Clare A: These are my four favorite pictures I took of Roslindale last week. To me, they really capture another part of the city that demonstrates uniqueness, but also how it is connected as a whole. There is a sense of beauty I see in my neighborhood, which I have fallen in love with ever since I was little, appreciating the love, charm, and comfort that it brings.
Emily C: One of the outside activities was to collect natural items (such as rocks, leaves, and etc) and to make a portrait. This is one of my favorites because of the amount of creative freedom we had.
Emily D: This week we were asked to take pictures to capture the spirit of our neighborhood. This is a picture of a rock path found in East Boston’s waterfront park, LoPresti. Here many people go to take pictures. I love it because you can see how close East Boston is to downtown Boston.
Emily H: One of our outdoor activities was to use natural resources around us to make an Andy Goldsworthy-inspired art, so I decided to create an infinity sign to add my own twist to Goldsworthy’s circle element. I enjoyed this activity because it pushed me to think more creatively as well as stay in tune with the plants around me.
Gloriann Z: This photo is one of Chinatown’s hottest spots. I like how the modernized teahouse (Tea-Do) is sandwiched between more traditional businesses.
Jessica Z: This week, I was challenged to take photos in East Boston from a unique angle. Instead of taking photos from normal eye level, I decided to take them from bottom-up. This is my favorite because the angle amplifies the apartments and makes them look bigger than they actually are. The sky, clouds, and grass also have a satisfying color contrast. Overall, the picture is aesthetically pleasing visually and gives insight into what my neighborhood looks like on a normal day.
Kevin C: This week we were challenged to take pictures of places in our neighborhoods that people value. I chose the City Hall in Revere because people are always sitting on the benches or on the steps. Also, a part of City Hall includes a little open area where elderly residents enjoy sitting on the benches.
Rabab B: While looking through the city of Chelsea to take photos I had realized myself making observations I never really had before. Chelsea is covered in bricks! I enjoyed noticing new things, and looking at familiar places with fresh eyes.
Sergio F: This week, I decided to share this photo from the postcard project because I personally feel this image deserves to be shared due to the powerful take on being reflective on oneself. This image of a broken branch reflecting over the water allows me to reflect on myself and my experience these couple of weeks with the Waterfront Ambassadors. This photo was taken in a place that allows me to clear my mind of stress, and admire the nature that surrounds.
Sophia T: This photo is a picture of the very popular Harrison Avenue of Chinatown. These buildings all have a story and are very old, but right in what I would call the center of Chinatown. Most of these little shops have been here for all my life and I grew up eating the food on this street.
To see more blogs from the 2020 Ambassadors, click here. To read blogs from the 2019 program, click here.