Next arrival in Davis Square T stop, art

On July 29, 2007, in Uncategorized, by The News Staff

By George P. HassettLoresdavissqcta

Commuters staring at the walls of the Davis Square train station will soon have something new to look at courtesy of local artists and collaboration between city officials, Tufts University and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Large art panels representing the Somerville and Tufts communities will be displayed throughout the station this year after being judged by a local jury.

The city’s arts council has released a call to artists with specific parameters relevant to the scope, size, and materials required for the panels. A jury comprised of representatives from Tufts, the MBTA and the city will review all submissions and recommend nine for display within the T station.
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone said he was excited about the project since Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz first approached him with the idea.

‚ÄúThe Davis Square T stop is the first thing many visitors and newcomers to Somerville see. So when Alderman Gewirtz approached me with this idea, I thought it sounded fantastic,‚Äù Curtatone said. ‚ÄúWe know that the look and feel of a city affects community pride, so we‚Äôve placed a premium on maintaining and revitalizing our neighborhoods to ensure they‚Äôre dynamic and attractive.  In a city of artists like Somerville, this project is a great tie-in.‚Äù

The current art panels in the station were installed in 1984, when the station was first built. A number of the existing panels will be replaced with 4 feet by 4 feet art panels that reflect the vibrancy of Somerville, Gewirtz said. The children’s art in the station will remain intact, she said. Associated project costs will be shared equally between the MBTA, Tufts and the city. Gewirtz said the projected costs amount to approximately $9,000 for each group.

MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas said the MBTA is pleased to share in the costs and revitalization of the stop. 

‚ÄúThe MBTA has been, and continues to be, a supporter of placing art in stations to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for the commuting public,‚Äù he said in a release. 

Gewirtz said the current art panels do not represent the spirit of the Somerville or Tufts communities and in a city with so many artists, the space devoted to artistic expression should fit its host.

“The arts community is critically important to the quality of life here in Somerville. We have more artists per capita than in any other surrounding community and when we have a public setting like the T stop panels we should give the local artists an opportunity to display their work,” she said.
Tufts President Lawrence S. Bacow said he is delighted about the project.

‚ÄúDavis Square is a magnet for members of both communities as well as the thousands of commuters and visitors who pass through there every day.  This new underground gallery will welcome those who live, work and study in Somerville and illustrate the creativity of these communities and the ties that connect them," she said. 

Gewirtz called the project a “win-win-win.”

“It’ll benefit our commuters, the MBTA and our local artists, and I’m so pleased that we were able to successfully create this unique partnership,” she said.

All artists living or working in Somerville and members of the Tufts community are eligible to submit photographs, paintings, drawings or images for consideration.  Submissions are due to the arts council by Sept. 14 and the jury will meet in late September to review each piece, said Gregory Jenkins, Director of the Somerville Arts Council.

 

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