The Spy Pond mural, at the Boys & Girls Club, as it looked in fall 2012. / Photo by Adria Arch
UPDATED, June 23: The town’s first major mural of the 21st century has come down.
The Spy Pond mural on the Boys & Girls Club, installed in November 2012, marked a significant step taken by Arlington Public Art.
But as the club celebrates its 80th year, the mural facing the historic pond is showing its age. Tears and fading hues obscure what was once four colorful panels.
The mural was removed Friday, June 22, said Adria Arch, a leader in the town’s public-art push. The digitally printed vinyl mesh, installed by Arlington Flag and Banner, was taken down by same company.
A more recent and less-traditional installation, “Ripple,” robing trees since last fall with vibrantly colored knitting from 57 contributors, was retired during the week of June 4. The location is along the bikeway across from Spy Pond field and not far from Kickstand.
‘Ripple’ went up Sept. 14, 2017, with the help of consultant Cecily Miller, right. / Joy Spadafora photo
Weathered well
“It fared well through all of the storms this winter and spring, but is in need of repairs,” Arch wrote the Arlington email list May 31. “Further, we are concerned about preserving the health of the trees.”
From late 2012 until now, Arlington Public Art has launched successful programming, including 14 paintings on transformer boxes, two public art exhibits in town parks and a major installation, “Storefront Stories,” on Mass. Ave. businesses in Capitol Square in fall 2016.
Added Arch, chair of Arlington Public Art and cochair of the Arlington Commission for the Arts and Culture: “There will be more exciting public art along the bike path this summer and fall, and keep posted for the roll-out this fall of a new arts and culture website and calendar of events.”
Some history
The history of public art in Arlington predates this century, as the sculptures of Cyrus Dallin, who shaped art here from 1900 to 1944, attest.
Wait in line at the Court Street post office, and over an entire wall broods a rendering of Pilgrims and native Americans. Read a column about that >>
More recently, a 2008 public mural at the Heights MBTA bus turnaround by students at Dearborn Academy, then in Arlington, won state recognition. Five years later, when the building was revamped into a store, the art was defaced.
Better coordination since then between the town and arts groups aims to build and not tear down. In the case of the June work, these “retirements” are needed, supporters say.
Dec. 12, 2012: Supersize mural unveiled at Spy Pond
May 4, 2013: Defaced depot mural raises question: How art-friendly is Arlington?
Oct. 2, 2016: Wheat-paste art brings East Arlington to life
Sept. 19, 2017: Now here’s a yarn: Ripples of peace to flow out on bikeway
This news summary was published Friday, June 1, 2018, and updated June 23.
