City of New Bedford puts out call to artists as process to build Melville statue begins

“In late December of 1840, a 21-year-old man signed onto the crew of the whaleship Acushnet, a 359-ton square-rigged ship that departed New Bedford for the Pacific Ocean on Jan. 3, 1841.

That man spent 18 months at sea experiencing a whaling journey, and a decade later, that young man, Herman Melville, used New Bedford and his adventure as inspiration to write Moby-Dick.

The rest, as they say, is history.

And now the City of New Bedford is launching an effort to honor Melville with a statue at a site to be determined in the Historic District, the same neighborhood depicted in Moby-Dick. The initiative follows successful efforts in recent years to recognize individuals associated with the City’s history: Last year, the City unveiled a statue of Frederick Douglass at the new Abolition Row Park; a sculpture and park dedication honoring former State Rep. Tony Lopes was completed in 2016; and a monument recognizing local veterans who served in post-9/11 conflicts is being planned for the Clark’s Point neighborhood.


City of New Bedford photo.

“New Bedford is the setting for what is arguably the preeminent work of American literature. The novel has had a profound influence on artists the world over and on American culture itself. As it was until recently with Frederick Douglass, honoring Melville with a statue in New Bedford is long overdue,” Mayor Mitchell said.

“Melville’s spirit still echoes throughout all of New Bedford,” said Amanda McMullen, president and CEO of The New Bedford Whaling Museum, which is hosting the annual Moby-Dick Marathon this weekend. “We applaud the City of New Bedford’s vision for a Herman Melville statue. It is a natural choice for our Whaling City and will be a wonderful addition to the bounty of terrific public art. New Bedford’s rich maritime history and connection to Herman Melville’s literary masterpiece make it the perfect home for this iconic tribute.”

As a first step, the City is putting out a call for artists. Interested artists are asked to provide their contact information, a statement of interest, a resume/CV, previous work samples, and an estimated budget by Feb. 16. The City will establish an advisory committee – comprised of representatives from the arts and culture scene, as well as local historians – to evaluate the applicants’ qualifications. Finalists will then be granted stipends of $2,500 to propose designs, which the committee will evaluate. Interested artists can submit their documents by visiting https://forms.gle/teSbL3AE1hfvwVVk9.

The statue will be supported with a mix of private and public funds. More information on fundraising, the selection process, and other details will be released in the coming months. Anyone with ideas, questions, or comments on the Melville project can email HermanMelvilleStatue@gmail.com.”




Argentinian uses flight simulator to explore New Bedford from the skies

“My name is Joaquín Gelmini, and I’m excited to share a video I created using Microsoft Flight Simulator, a remarkable simulator that replicates our entire planet at a 1:1 scale in real time. This simulator employs satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to recreate the world with stunning fidelity to reality.

The primary goal of my YouTube channel, JoaHa45, is to take viewers on a virtual journey around the globe. Through this immersive experience, we can explore and appreciate how our countries, cities, towns, and even our own homes are represented within the simulator.

As of now, my channel boasts over 1700 videos. Among these, 182 are dedicated to exploring the United States, with the remainder showcasing flights across a multitude of countries, including Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Spain.

My journey began on September 18, 2020, at Morón Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina. From that starting point, I meticulously planned and executed a flight route that would take me around the world.

Thank you very much in advance for taking the time to read this message. I invite you to watch the video, which captures the beauty and realism of this incredible simulator.”-Warm regards from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Joaquin Gelmini.

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Have a talent, story, or opinion you want to share with greater New Bedford? Inbox us or email info@newbedfordguide.com.




New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park selects four 2024 ‘Artists in Residence’

“Please join the staff of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the park’s friends group, the Whaling History Alliance, in congratulating the four artists selected to be part of the park’s 2024 Artist in Residence program (artist bios below).

The program, in its sixth year, includes a new artist every quarter who host open studio events and other public engagement opportunities during their three-month residency. Superintendent Jennifer Smith remarks on the program, “The park’s Artist in Residence program provides us with a creative portal through which we tell the complex stories of our community and this country’s history. Using the arts to look back as well as forward helps us present new and diverse perspectives while attracting new audiences to our work. The program has really grown under program coordinator, Lindsay’s, leadership, and we are seeing increased interest in the program form artists across the country. We are also grateful to the Whaling History Alliance who are supporting one of the selected artists this year.”

Lindsay Compton, the park’s Arts and Youth Coordinator, speaks to the goals of the many areas of collaboration offered by the program and the caliber of this year’s artists, “Our program is designed to give artists a platform to collaborate, exchange ideas and create inspiring work that truly embodies the spirit of our community. We are incredibly excited to have an exceptional group of artists participating this year and we can’t wait to witness not only the amazing works they’ll produce but also the meaningful and long-lasting connections they’ll forge along the way.”

If you are interested in joining in or learning about our upcoming Artist in Residence programs, please follow us on social media or check our website calendar of events.

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New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park photo.
Cara Bean – New Bedford, MA – Bean is a cartoonist and art educator based in New Bedford, with a forthcoming illustrated guide to mental health on the horizon, to be published in Spring of 2024. The aim of her residency is to explore conversations around mental health with youth, specifically middle school-aged students. She has worked with Our Sister School and Dream Out Loud and plans to continue building on that work during her residency.”


New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park photo.
Emmanuel Escobar is a Providence, RI -based Afro-Latin jazz musician, signed performing artist, and educator whose residency project includes workshops and live performances as a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Jazz music in New Bedford, and the lasting impact Cape Verdean musicians and artists still have on our community today. Emmanuel’s Letter of Interest states, “this [project] will serve as a homage, study and celebration” of New Bedford and specifically, “Cape Verdeans throughout the region.”


New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park photo.
Rebecca McGee Tuck, from Natick MA, is a found object fiber sculpture artist working with collected materials from Massachusetts beaches. She has a community-based marine debris weaving project in mind for her three-month residency. Her project aims to create work by exploring a unique coastal area on beaches called the “wrack-line.” The wrack-line is the area on the beach where organic material (seaweed, grasses, etc.) and other debris (trash) is deposited as the high tide recedes.


New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park photo.
Beth Jones is a Brookline, MA-based author, digital storyteller, journalist, media artist, and educator. She combines writing, research, video clips, and personal and archival imagery to reveal moments where lives pivot on something as small or unexpected as a found object or a moment in time. Beth’s residency project is to construct/create two crowd-sourced Cabinets of Curiosities – digital and physical – inspired by early collectors who shared stories of travel and discovery through displays of artifacts and ephemera. Beth’s “cabinets” will contradict the exclusivity of their predecessors, where precious objects (many stolen) were possessed and displayed by the wealthy, and held power over people.




19th Annual Revere Beach International Sand Sculpture Festival winners announced

“Here are the winners of the Sculpting Competition!

A huge thank you to all of the competitors and staff who helped to make these beautiful sculptures possible, and to all of you for coming to see them.

On the last day of the festival we gathered to celebrate all the hard work that was put in to make the event possible for all of you!

While weather did affect some of the sculptures, we are happy to show you what they looked like before the bad weather arrived.

Winners:

1st Place: Slavian Borecki for “Neptune’s Morning Coffee”:


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2nd Place: Hanneke Supply for “Trapped in your own mind the way out is through your heart”:


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3rd Place and Sculptors’ Choice: Jonathan (Jobi) Bouchard for “D-Side”:


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4th Place: Karen Fralich for “Steampunk fish”:


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5th Place: Bouke Atema for “Humanity Can Change:


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“-Revere Beach.

All photos by Lisa Watchmaker Photography:




Love The Ave “Love Locks,” a site-specific contemporary artwork coming to New Bedford

“In Wednesday July 26, north end, New Bedford will welcome something entirely new to its landscape.

Acushnet Avenue, the north end’s historic international commercial corridor, will soon be adorned at the Nye Street Pocket Park with a captivating contemporary artwork created by activist artist Keith M. Francis. This site-specific sculpture aims to stimulate conversations around the concept of community while celebrating the love for Acushnet Avenue and New Bedford – and adding immense visual appeal to the neighborhood.

How immense? The metal sculpture weighs 3,000 pounds and is 12 feet high by 10 feet wide. It joins a select cadre of public art in the city like James Surls’ “Seaflower” and John Magnan’s “Habitat” that is site-specific and fully contemporary.

“Love Locks” will be shielded from public view until an unveiling celebration on Wednesday, July 26 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the park – across from the St. Anthony of Padua rectory beside the historic church. The reception promises to be a gathering of city officials, local residents, artists, and musicians, all eager to celebrate the unveiling of this significant artwork.

In a show of collective affection for Acushnet Avenue and New Bedford, people at the unveiling will be provided with locks to design and place on the sculpture. Each lock symbolizes their personal love for the community, creating a powerful visual representation of the city’s shared spirit.

The celebration will also feature a very special guest.

Artist Keith Francis has New Bedford in his blood. Not only is he a Visual Design and Communications instructor at Greater New Bedford Regional Technical Vocational High School, but on a recent visit to the Nye Street Pocket Park he literally pointed out a more visceral connection to the place where his magnificent new sculpture will sit.

“See that house,” he says as he points to a characteristic three decker two doors down Nye Street. “My mother was born in that house in 1939!” He explains further that not only did she live there until the mind-1950s, but his parents and grandparents were both married at St. Anthony’s, which will now loom over his work.

Returning from her current residence in Arizona, Keith’s mother will attend the opening reception for her son’s piece on Wednesday, July 26, bestowing even more meaning on the long bond of community and belonging that stays locked in the heart.

The realization of this remarkable sculpture is the result of collaborative efforts between MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) district centered around Acushnet Avenue and the assistance of New Bedford Creative, a program of the New Bedford Economic Development Council.

One of the many ways MassDevelopment TDI districts aim to revitalize and support local communities is through arts and cultural initiatives. This collaborative endeavor highlights the commitment of both organizations to promote artistic expression and community engagement, and build upon the powerful Love The Ave brand launched by the Community Economic Development Center on The Ave (as it is affectionately known.)

Keith’s artistic journey back to The Ave began after his graduation from UMass Dartmouth in 1989 with a BA in Photography/Visual Communications. He added a Master of Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art in 2018, and in between enjoyed success as a graphic artist for, among many other clients, the Democratic National Committee. His full professional history and a portfolio of his work is on his website at keithfrancisart.com.

Over the years, his passion for social activism and commentary has played a foundational role in his artwork, transcending simple classification and spanning various mediums. From graphic design to large-scale sculptures like the one soon to grace the Nye Street pocket park, Keith’s artistry has gained recognition and acclaim within the art world. His work holds a prestigious place alongside renowned artists such as Shepherd Fairey and Banksy at the Artemizia Foundation in Arizona, as well as in corporate and private collections.

While his large-scale sculptures are relatively rare due to their cost and logistical considerations, New Bedford residents were fortunate to witness Keith’s talent during the 2022 Seaport Art Walk. His sculpture “Glittering Patterns,” an open wall of mesmerizing metal patterns reflecting sunlight, captivated viewers and remained on display beyond the walk’s official end at the request of the City of New Bedford.

The Love The Ave Love Locks sculpture embodies Keith M. Francis’s intention to initiate dialogue rather than impose a singular interpretation upon the viewer. The artwork’s design incorporates a level of ambiguity, inviting viewers to engage in thoughtful conversations about social issues and the love for their community. By provoking introspection and fostering meaningful discussions, this sculpture thus becomes a catalyst for growth in New Bedford.

The arrival of Keith M. Francis’s Love The Ave Love Locks sculpture on Acushnet Avenue marks a significant milestone. Combining activism, community engagement, and artistic expression, this site-specific contemporary artwork invites residents and visitors alike to reflect, engage, and celebrate their love for Acushnet Avenue and New Bedford.

Join that conversation on Wednesday, July 26; follow New Bedford Creative and Love The Ave on Facebook for additional event details as they are finalized.”-New Bedford Economic Development Council.




New Bedford’s seaport displays new art to celebrate Art Walk’s 10th anniversary

2023 marks the 10 year anniversary of New Bedford’s Seaport Art Walk! In celebration, artists were invited to submit artwork to fill “our city’s ever-changing artistic and cultural landscape, or commemorates the generations of creatives that have called New Bedford home.” as described on Newbedfordcreative.org.

Let’s checkout some of the new artwork you will see!

Donna Dodson, “Seagull Cinderella” (2016/2023): A provocative piece first seen ruffling some feathers at the 2016 Seaport Art Walk, celebrating all things feminine, maternal, and fun.


Singing With Light photography Facebook photo.

Andrew Hamilton Reiss & Heather Cronin-Bachstein, “What You Sea” (2023): An immersive art installation that explores the interconnectedness between humans and the sea, urging viewers to contemplate their relationship with the marine environment.


Singing With Light photography Facebook photo.

Brooke Mullins Doherty, “Vibrant Passage” (2023): A visually stunning piece that uses vibrant colors and dynamic forms to evoke a sense of movement and energy.


Singing With Light photography Facebook photo.

This year’s exhibition also includes an indoor component, displayed at the Groundwork Gallery at 1213 Purchase Street, along with many more great displays spread around the seaport to celebrate 10 years of amazing art. Grab a cup of coffee from one of New Bedford’s fantastic local coffee shops and take a stroll along the seaport to experience it yourself!




New Bedford Creative announces $400,000 in awards celebrating arts, culture, creative expression

Over thirty cultural events, programs, and special projects, and forty individual artists will receive Wicked Cool Places, ARTnet, and Art is Everywhere funding to keep New Bedford Creative. In total, $419,520 will support arts, culture, and creative expression in New Bedford through these awards.

The grant funding is part of the City of New Bedford’s investment in the arts using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, administered through the New Bedford Economic Development Council’s arts and culture-focused arm, New Bedford Creative.

Mayor Jon Mitchell commented, “A reverence for artistic expression was first woven into New Bedford’s identity in the whaling era, when the city was a global focal point for new ideas and creativity. And that sensibility has endured. With a foundation of thriving cultural institutions, a beehive of working artists, and broad civic support for the creative sector, New Bedford today is a thriving cultural hub. This investment will enable us to deepen and broaden the cultural experiences available to our residents and visitors alike.”

Wicked Cool Places is the grant program for making or keeping a place where things are happening and people want to be that involve residents, visitors or businesses in New Bedford’s neighborhoods. This grant was originally created in 2019 with funding by the City of New Bedford’s Arts, Culture and Tourism Fund, with additional support by Bristol County Savings Bank.

ARTnet is a new artist recovery and training network to help artists recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic by providing financial support, business planning support, training workshops, and access to a network of creative-entrepreneur peers.

Mayor Jon Mitchell announced the allocation of ARPA funds to arts and culture in the city at a special event in May, 2022. On that occasion he noted that “the artists that comprise New Bedford’s thriving arts community are themselves small businesses. Funding to accelerate their emergence from the pandemic represents a timely investment in our economy and will energize our cultural scene.”

Art is Everywhere is a grant program that prioritizes creative solutions to expedite the recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Bedford’s neighborhoods. This grant was originally created in 2020 with funding by MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) and the Barr Foundation as one component of a broader “TDI Creative Cities” initiative to boost arts-based economic development.

“All the artists, groups and projects awarded ARPA funds have a proven track record of giving back to the City of New Bedford,” says Margo Saulnier, NBEDC’s director of creative strategies. “Now, they are getting the support they need to maintain momentum as we all recover from the pandemic and lay a solid foundation to keep New Bedford Creative.”

Grant applications were evaluated by independent review committees. Reviewers for Wicked Cool Places included members of the volunteer New Bedford Creative Consortium. Reviewers for Art is Everywhere are from organizations such as Coastline Elderly Services, Groundwork Southcoast, American Red Cross of Southeastern Massachusetts, PACE (People Acting in Community Endeavors), and City departments of Public Health and Community Services.

Learn more about the City of New Bedford’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding newbedford-ma.gov/arpa. Follow the evolution of New Bedford Creative at newbedfordcreative.org.”







City of New Bedford selects artists for the commission of temporary art at the Cove Walk

“New Bedford’s Department of City Planning, in collaboration with New Bedford Creative, announces the selection of an artist team to receive a commission to create a temporary public art installation to be located at the entrance of the Cove Walk on Cove Road.

A selection committee awarded the grant to Michael Medeiros and Johanna Hoogendyk for their project titled, “Tijolo e Luz (Brick and Light),” a multidisciplinary installation of ceramic, portraiture, and story grounded in the oral histories of New Bedford residents. Medeiros plans to create two brick structures, made of Massachusetts-dug terracotta clay, that will feature life-sized portraiture of New Bedford women.

Lead artist and New Bedford native, Michael Medeiros, envisions the project as a celebration of the history and experiences of the city which shaped his perception of the world. “My mother was employed in the New Bedford textile industry, and my grandfather was a bricklayer and decades-long employee of Revere Copper and Brass,” says Medeiros.

“Both of them worked in large brick factories typical of the sort that once dominated much of the land-based industrial landscape of New Bedford. I grew up seeing the inner workings of those spaces. It’s shaped my aesthetic, and I plan to draw upon that architectural, industrial, and human heritage to create the brick and tile portion of this project.”

The commission is made possible through a $10,000 grant funded by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), Making it Public Program. The Department of City Planning and New Bedford Creative participated in NEFA program to bolster the City’s commitment to expand public art and utilize it as a tool for placemaking and enhancing the city’s identity as a cultural community while supporting the operating capacity of working artists and creating a sustainable platform for the continued development of public art projects.

The installation of the art will occur this spring. Further information on the project submittal and the artists’ biographies can be found on the City’s website: https://s3.amazonaws.com/newbedford-ma/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/20230103144545/Cove-Walk-Temporary-Artwork-Call-for-Art-Proposal.pdf”




Unveiling of mural that pays tribute to New Bedford’s Cape Verdeans

“I was privileged to have the opportunity this afternoon to celebrate the unveiling of the new mural at The Ultra Marine Band Club, a spectacular tribute to contributions of Cape Verdeans to the City and America.

Artists Eden Soares and Adrian Tio, along with the Cape Verdean Cultural Committee, created an inspiring landmark.” -Jon Mitchell.


Jon Mitchell photo.




New Bedford Police Department announces grand reveal for completed mural project

“The ‘Friends of Cape Verdean Culture Committee,’ of which Lt. Scott Carola is a member, is proud to reveal the end result of its “Band club” mural project this Friday, October 21st, at 3 pm, at 185 Acushnet Ave.

Last year, the committee was formed with the intent of identifying local artists to create a mural on the side of the historic “Cape Verdean Ultra Marine Band Club”. Opened in 1917, the club has been a hub of music and culture for over a century. It is the oldest Cape Verdean club in the country.

Through generous grants and donations, the committee was able to secure the talents of local artists Eden Soares and Adrian Tio who completed the mural over the summer. The work depicts the migration of the Cape Verdean people from the islands to American shores, their contributions to our community, and their rich culture.

The committee invites the public to this formal unveiling as they introduce the artists and are joined by local community leaders for this historic event.” -New Bedford Police Department.