Using art to inform, illustrate, and spark joy | Waterfront Ambassadors photo diary
Extension work planned for the Mary Ellen Welch Greenway in East Boston was the topic of discussion for the Waterfront Ambassadors at the start of week four. Again the teens had the opportunity to speak with East Boston Greenway Coordinator Michelle Moon and landscape architect María de la Luz Lobos Martínez to learn about the benefits—and challenges—of building open, green space in a developed area.
“We focused on the Winthrop extension,” explained Program Manager Sarah Plotkin. “The Ambassadors were then tasked with creating their own surveys for the Greenway and to share them with friends to see what feedback they might get, which they really enjoyed.”
Other guest speakers this week included Jason L. Burrell, a local Boston resident and associate at the law firm Mintz, who spoke with the teens about setting goals, and his career journey; Trustees Director of Coast Tom O’Shea who detailed the organization’s coastal strategy and resilience projects underway; and Trustees Boston Community Gardens Engagement Manager Michelle de Lima, who gave the group a virtual tour of the Nightingale Community Gardens in Dorchester.
“The Ambassadors enjoyed learning about the different plants that were being grown and how community gardens operate,” said Plotkin. “A high point was getting to talk to one of the local gardeners who was working her plot at the time, and learning about her creative way of using shredded paper to help her plants grow instead of mulch.”
Several projects allowed the teens to get outdoors and think creatively this week. Beginning with a virtual session led by Landscape Architect Gretchen Rabinkin, from the Boston Society of Landscape Architects, and Carolina Aragón, local artist and UMass-Amherst Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Assistant Professor, the group learned about Carolina’s public art exhibits exploring the effects of climate change on different neighborhoods in Boston, including “RisingEMOTIONS.” The challenge for the teens was to begin looking for sites around their own neighborhoods which may experience impacts of climate change, and identify places where they’d install a similar work of art. Along the way the Ambassadors also focused on seeing familiar sites with new eyes, and snapped photos of things that sparked joy, or places they thought could be refreshed or repurposed to become more joyful, and designed a public art project for their neighborhood.
For this week’s photo diary, enjoy some of these art projects, neighborhood photos, and community outreach activities-including a rock painting project intended to bring color and joy to neighbors and visitors:
Brittany R: Last week, we worked in collaboration with Speak for the Trees on the Tree Benefits Project. We had to go on out to our neighborhoods to measure and identify trees. Later, we had to research their benefits to write them on the sidewalk with chalk, to remind others of why trees matter. It was interesting to see the reaction of people living in those areas because I felt like was a part of a greater change. Although I was pushed out of my comfort zone, the result was definitely worth it!
Clare A: In this activity, we were supposed to look around our neighborhood for things that sparked joy for us when I came across this house. Outside was a little kid stop where the kids in my neighborhood could play around with the toys, chalk, and other interesting objects that the owners had set up for free. On the sign located to the right is a message from the owners saying that the kids were welcome to take anything from there, however they would have to replace them with another item so that others could play with the new toys, which I felt was such a wholesome gesture that brings the community together.
Emily C: We had the opportunity to do different activities involving going outside and collecting rocks or planning an art project to the public this week. One of my favorites was the rock painting because it was able to open my mind and expand my creativity from a plain rock into an art piece that people could enjoy. I decided to do a TV show (SpongeBob Squarepants), and the character I chose was Patrick because not only is he easy to paint but he is a very fun character in the show.
Emily D: This week we were able to do some rock painting! I decided to put a rainbow as well as a cheesy positive message on them. Then I put them around a tree across my street. This activity was such an easy way to bring joy to the neighborhood and I even continued making rocks after!
Emily H: I haven’t painted rocks in a long time, so this outside activity brought back a lot of memories from when I was a little kid. It was a relaxing activity, but I was really excited to create some cute rocks. We shared our designs with each other, and I enjoyed listening to everyone’s enjoyment of the activity. I think having painted rocks is such a cool addition on the streets to make someone’s day.
Gloriann Z: I was able to try something new this week that I have never thought of to do myself. Having the experience to paint rocks this week was really eye-opening. I painted a scenery view of a forest. When I look around my neighborhood, all the trees are separated by a whole 3 feet of concrete. This painting made me realize that water features in Chinatown would be a great addition. Chinatown being extremely vulnerable to temperature increase due to climate change, should have some vegetation to help provide shade and filter out the pollution.
Jessica Z: This week, I was tasked with sparking joy in my neighborhood. Rock painting is a small, simple, and effective way to do so. Rocks are found everywhere, yet no one really stops to look at them. I painted colorful pictures of penguins, ladybugs, pandas, pigs, and strawberries on rocks. Afterwards, I put them back in their original locations for people to see. I hope the colors will catch people’s attention as they walk by, sparking happiness in the form of a small art project.
Kevin C: This week one of our outside activities was to paint rocks that we were able to find. I really enjoyed doing this because it was my first time painting rocks. And after I was done painting them, I went back and I put them back where I found them so that they can make my neighborhood look a little nicer and hopefully it can inspire someone else to do it too.
Sergio F: During the week I went bike riding either during my outside activity or around the time a sunset is setting. I enjoy looking at the glorious view with my family and doing this type of photography is very calming for me during a tough time in the world.
Sophia T: We painted some rocks this week to help brighten up our neighborhoods and we have placed them back in our neighborhoods so that others can enjoy the beautiful rocks too. I wanted to make sure that it was as colorful and vibrant as possible so that my neighbors can also enjoy it and maybe even create their own! This activity is the perfect way to brighten someone’s day while having fun!
Rabab B: This week we painted some rocks. The rock painting was a fun experience where we all were able to be creative and think about ways to spark some joy into our neighborhoods. This definitely sparked some joy in my neighborhood as all the kids stopped by to stare at the Patrick rock and even ask if it would be okay to add to the "collection".
To see more blogs from the 2020 Ambassadors, click here. To read blogs from the 2019 program, click here.