Since winning a Gloucester HarborWalk public art award, artist Justin Desilva has been busy working on maps and plans, iterations of murals, experimenting with digital printing, paint, and adhesives under varying conditions to ready his site-specific project in town this summer.
Today, Desilva’s art ideas are underfoot, literally. Walk by the Legion and Main Street to see the first two mixed media works for his temporary public art installation, With Every Street There’s a Story. People were so positive talking with Justin as he worked. There was so much energy and great shared stories.
Over the coming weeks, there will be 20 unique and temporary, mixed media crosswalks throughout downtown. Each one will feature a HarborWalk story moment through digital art and color field painting. Desilva’s goals involve the promotion of healthier people, neighborhoods and communities.
At work on Joan of Arc
At work on T.S.Eliot
Want to help? Contact Friends of the HarborWalk gharborwalk@gmail.com
The HarborWalk was designed by Cambridge Seven Associates for the City. Everyone helping envisioned public spaces being used by residents, employees and visitors in an infinite variety (some have started): relaxing, working by the granite markers, meeting family, live radio broadcasts, dance pieces, fitness and movement classes, art classes, movie screenings, cook offs, restaurant vendor tastings, poetry readings, theater performances, roving music, family programs, playground in a box, field trips, partnering with seniors, tours of all scope, education, on and on. Have an idea? Want to get involved or volunteer? Please email friends of the HarborWalk gharborwalk@gmail.com or visit http://www.ghwalk.org
Cambridge Seven Associate’s design included the irresistible combination of nature juxtaposed with our industrial harbor. The trees and blooms, sustainable butterfly gardens, garden lectures and more are all directed by the uber talented, Kim Smith. For the gorgeous gardens Friends of the HarborWalk contact Kim Smith directly kimsmithdesigns@hotmail.com
The 2013 Gloucester HarborWalk Public Art Challenge was a competitive, two-stage, open process established and administered by the Committee for the Arts (CFTA) on behalf of the City of Gloucester, and at the direction of Mayor Kirk and the City’s Community Development Department under Sarah Garcia. Funding for the purchase of public art was provided through a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Seaport Advisory Council. The awards reflect discussions, community development, planning and determination to remember and work towards incorporating the creative arts broadly alongside other city efforts. Gloucester hearts art! For further information Gloucester Committee for the Arts
Good Morning Gloucester 
These are awesome but I hope our tax dollars are not paying for this.
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Yes. It says that “Funding for the purchase of public art was provided through a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Seaport Advisory Council”.
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Three artists were awarded an opportunity to create new public art downtown. Awards may not completely cover cost of time, labor or materials but can be prestigious and transforming for an artist’s process.
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Wow, this looks amazing and inspiring.
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Very nice and what a great touch for walking – by and driving up to! That sure looks in one photo like periwinkle blue to me – we kids painted one of our rooms this color that way 1965 :D-)&K:-)
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Hi there, Dave. Thanks for commenting. It does look like periwinkle. There are two blues: ‘blue wave’ and ‘sky’.
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What a great idea…informative and creative.
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I love watching Gloucester become more beautiful each day with special artistic gifts that people are sharing whether paid or volunteering. AND …Aren’t we fortunate to have people who can write grant applications that get accepted!! Many thanks to all! ( and thanks, as always to GMG for keeping us informed!)
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Leslie, Nancy, others thank you for sharing your comments and we’ll make sure Justin see them!
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