Finalists announced for Upham’s Corner public art installation

Residents to review and weigh in as part of community-led design process in forums this month

Boston – The Boston Foundation and Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI), in collaboration with residents and a broad range of community-based partners, are pleased to announce that five Greater Boston artists have been selected as finalists in an (up to) $500,000 competition to create a piece of artwork for permanent display in the Upham’s Corner neighborhood of Boston.

The artists eligible for the commission will be presenting their ideas at a series of community meetings over the next two weeks, where residents will have the opportunity to learn about each finalist’s artistic experience and his/her budget and plan for engaging the community in the visioning, design, site selection, fabrication and installation process.

The community meetings are scheduled for:

Wednesday, January 15, 6:00pm       
Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative
504 Dudley Street, Roxbury

Friday, January 17, 12:00pm            
Mattapan Branch, Boston Public Library
1350 Blue Hill Ave, Mattapan

Tuesday, January 21, 5:30pm           
Design Studio for Social Intervention
1946 Washington Street, 2nd floor, Roxbury

Thursday, January 23, 6:00pm         
Dorchester Arts Collaborative,
Erick Jean Center for the Arts  
157A Washington Street, Dorchester

“These meetings are designed to ensure that community members have opportunities to raise their questions and learn about the ideas that each of these talented artists bring to the project,” said Harry Smith of Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative. “This artwork, and the process of its creation, can and must reflect the spirit of Upham’s Corner and those who call it home.”

Each of the finalists’ applications are available for public review and comment on the Upham’s Corner Art Place website.

The public input will be included in the final selection process, with the announcement of a winning artist scheduled for mid-February.

The five finalists are:

• Katarzyna Balug, Cambridge, MA
• Cedric Douglas, Mattapan, MA
• Mags Harries, Cambridge, MA
• Waqas Jawaid, Dorchester, MA
• Laurence Pierce, Dorchester, MA

The finalists were chosen from 29 applications submitted for the commission, which were reviewed by a 16-person panel comprised of local artists and arts, civic and community leaders. The community-led process is designed as a key element of an overall strategy to bring greater awareness to the arts in Upham’s Corner and celebrate the rich cultures of the neighborhood and its residents.

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About Upham’s Corner Art Place: Over the last 18 months, the Boston Foundation has partnered with Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) and other key leaders in Upham’s Corner to pilot local creative Placemaking efforts. With support from ArtPlace America and the Kresge Foundation, this unique partnership has leveraged the local assets of the neighborhood, residents and creative practitioners in Upham's Corner to increase local leadership, creative production and connections with surrounding communities. The success of this work is due in large part to the sustained efforts, knowledge and leadership of DSNI, Upham's Corner Main Streets, Design Studio for Social Intervention and vital partnerships with ArtMorpheus and Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre (among many others). For more information on events, activities and additional key partnerships go to: artplaceuphams.wordpress.com.