Public Art, Public Creativity
The Greenway’s award-winning exhibitions of contemporary public art are complemented by an opportunity for the public to creatively engage at our Uni Draw Cart.
In June alone, The Greenway Art Ambassador program engaged over 800 people in discussions and activities surrounding our public art exhibitions. One unique way we engage with the public is through the use of our Uni Draw cart. Last year and continuing this season, this cart full of drawing materials is on The Greenway 4 days/week. Thanks to Blick Art Materials’ donation of supplies, The Uni Draw cart is stocked with paper, crayons, colored pencils, and books, and includes drawing prompts and fun activities.
Art Ambassadors, 2017
The Uni Project started in New York City in 2011, with a mission to bring learning opportunities to public spaces. This project has seen a lot of success through the use of their various carts for reading, drawing, solving and exploring. Last year, The Greenway purchased our very own Uni Draw cart after a number of successful summers engaging our communities with public reading at the Uni Read.
The Greenway’s Art Ambassador program utilizes the Uni Draw cart as a way to engage with the community and build a public space that facilitates creativity and learning for all ages. Through the use of the portable drawing studio, we are able to provide high-quality art materials to the public, free of charge, and create a place where the community can draw together. With the help of our volunteer Art Ambassadors, this resource is available to the public all summer long.
Last year, the cart was stationed at the Rings Fountain with our exhibition of Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads. Sited here, the cart attracted many kids (and adults) to respond to the enormous sculptures and express themselves. Visitors could, of course, draw anything they wished, but were also given a prompt for their creativity. Visitors can take home their drawings, but many leave them with us:
In 2017, the cart is positioned with Mark Reigelman’s Meeting House, on The Greenway just south of Oliver Street, and includes a prompt by another Greenway artist, Chris Templeman. We’ve already seen some great drawings this year, look for our orange-shirted Art Ambassadors with the Uni Draw Cart every Thursday-Sunday, weather permitting. The cart is open Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11a-2p, and Fridays from 5:30p-7:30p.
Inspiration can strike anywhere and we have seen some truly amazing drawings created by our community members that are inspired by the spaces around them. Utilizing a tool like the Uni Draw cart is an incredible way for The Greenway to engage with our community and create a sense of place in downtown Boston. We have seen folks of all ages from all over the world visiting our Uni Draw cart and not only learning, but teaching us the value of public interaction, art and play.
Come be inspired by our Playful Perspectives artworks, relax on the organically maintained lawn, and sketch your own artwork!
Sponsored by Blick Art Materials