Calling All Artists: New Art Installation To Come To Newton

NEWTON, MA — We may be in the middle of winter, but a Newton group is thinking about warmer times, working to bring a new public art project to town to help encourage people to get outside this spring and support local businesses.

“Newton Out Doors will encourage the reconnection and revitalization of our community following a winter of COVID-19 isolation, at-home schooling and telecommuting,” said Howard Sholkin, president of Newton Community Pride, the nonprofit group behind the effort.

The plan? Have local and regional artists decorate 20 recycled wooden doors —with something that inspires feelings of connection, reflection, curiosity and joy— and then install them in and around Newton’s village centers from May through November to encourage engagement with public art as well as more pedestrian traffic to support local businesses.

“Newton’s merchants and restaurants are grateful to Newton Community Pride for creating a program designed to enhance the shopping and dining experience in our village centers at a time when we’re all looking to rebuild the economy and lift all of our spirits,” said Greg Reibman, president of the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber.

Artists have until Feb. 28 to submit applications and by March 30, the group plans to have selected the winners.

Four of the 20 doors will be reserved for Newton high school students and will be awarded based on the number of student submissions. The artists who win will each be paid a $425 commission. Following the exhibit, the doors will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to support further public art initiatives.

For more information: https://NewtonOutDoors.org.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.