Around Town

Watertown Unveils Self-Guided Arshile Gorky Tour, Includes New Mural & Artists Former Home

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Artist Brandon Marshall and his high school assistants, Charlotte and Isabelle, at the Opening Reception for the mural “Passage” on June 10, 2025. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Watertown is thrilled to announce the successful reception for “Passage,” the vibrant new mural honoring the profound legacy of renowned artist Arshile Gorky. The event, held on June 10th at the Grove Street underpass, was a wonderful celebration of art, community, and history. Inspired by Gorky’s dynamic palette and flowing forms, the “Passage” mural by Brandon Gaia Marshall is a powerful visual tribute to Gorky’s life and work, and to the resilience of those impacted by the Armenian Genocide. The mural serves as a poignant reminder of displacement and trauma, expressed through a shared language of color, abstract shapes, and representational imagery.

Around Town

City Calls for Art to Revitalize Coolidge Square During Mt. Auburn St. Construction

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A map of Coolidge Square showing possible installation locations. The City of Watertown today announced “Open for Business,” a new public art initiative inviting artists and artist teams to submit proposals for temporary outdoor art installations in Coolidge Square. This project aims to maintain the vibrancy of the neighborhood and support local businesses during the ongoing reconstruction of Mount Auburn Street. The extensive Mount Auburn Street reconstruction project, while essential for long-term revitalization, will undoubtedly cause temporary disruption to businesses in Coolidge Square. In response, the City of Watertown seeks to transform this period of change into an opportunity for community engagement and economic support through the power of public art.

Entertainment

Gallery’s New Show, “Paint and Poetry,” On Display in March

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The following announcement was provided by Storefront Art Projects:

Abstract paintings and preliminary sketches share the walls with poetry this month at Storefront Art Projects. Painters Pam Rajpal and James Kinny and Poet Edison Dupree each work from their heart, soul and guts. In the Poetry School Blog, “Smears & Caresses: The Poetry of Abstract Art”, from July 2020, Peter Hughes wrote: [Abstract art] … makes us look and it makes us think, and it makes us think about our thoughts.” 

Pam Rajpal whose group shows include Concord Art Association, Montserrat College of Art, Beverly, MA and the Boston Drawing Project at Carroll and Sons, says, “Intuitively a conversation begins, and I follow my curiosity … the painting develops … over weeks and sometimes months of improvisation and revision … to speak like poetry — to invite contemplation, evoke feeling, and offer connection.” The visual “history of marks and layers invites the viewer to resist the immediate response of an Instagram feed, and connect to something hand made.”

James Kinny who showed with Nielsen Gallery, Matter & Light Fine Art, and the Drawing Project at Joseph Carroll and Sons says, “My paintings are my effort to quietly present my soul … Image is unimportant; color is not planned in any significant way. My work is akin to poetry rather than prose. I love a dialogue between beauty and discomfort, and I find satisfaction when a painting takes months or even years to find its completion … Archeology fascinates me, whether it’s a Sumerian dig or delving into my own history and finding a passage in one of my paintings that came from my 5-year-old self.”

Edison Dupree grew up in Kinston, North Carolina.

Entertainment

Weekend Fun: Poppy Social, Art Galleries, Armenian Cuisine

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Kenji Nakayam and Damion Silver in Alter State at Drive-By Projects Art Gallery

Watertown is going to be a quiet, quite warm place on Memorial Day weekend as people are headed to greener/hillier/sandier pastures. Of course, it is a time to remember those who have given their lives, so you can pop into the Poppy Social at the Commander’s mansion on Friday in their remembrance. If looking for some air conditioning, pay a visit to see some of the art in town. There is the town sculpture garden in the open air, and a number of local galleries with current exhibits. There is also art to be made in a painting workshop.

Entertainment

Get Inspired for Watertown’s Annual Townwide Art Project

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YardArt Watertown”PaTRASHia” was one of the pieces made for Watertown’s YardArt. The following announcement was provided by YardArt:

YardArt returns to Watertown this year for the entire month of April. The community-wide event begins Monday, April 1 and lasts through Tuesday, April 30, 2024. A variety of artful and whimsical installations will be displayed on front yards, porches, and storefronts throughout Watertown. Watertown residents, families, organizations, clubs, classes, artists, and businesses are invited to create something of their own–a gizmo, a sculpture, an art project, a lighting arrangement—let your imagination run free!

Around Town

Mural Coming to Watertown Square Celebrates Artist’s Love, Vision for His New Hometown

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The mural, called “I See a Dream,” planned to be created on the wall outside CVS in Watertown Square by Amir Tabatabaei. A large wall in the center of Watertown will get a bright new look when a local artist creates a mural inspired by his experience moving to his new hometown. The project will be the first public art for its creator since he emigrated from Iran. Amir Tabatabaei will work on the mural that will go on the side of the CVS on Main Street in Watertown Square starting this spring. It will start where the gate opens onto Merchant’s Row, the alley off of Main Street, and unfolds along the wall.

Schools

Watertown Student Art to be Displayed at Local Mall

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Artwork created by students in the Watertown Public Schools will be on display beginning this week. The Watertown Schools announced the Visual Art Show at the Watertown Mall, 550 Arsenal St. The show features works from students in grades K to 12. It begins April 6 and runs through May 2. An opening reception will be held on Tuesday, April 11 at 6-8 p.m.

Around Town

Our History: Watertown Artist Ellen Robbins, Famous for Paintings of Flowers

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Ellen Robbins painting in her studio (from a photograph by J. Appleton Brown)

This article is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Joyce Kelly, Board member of the Historical Society of Watertown. Joyce writes articles for the newsletter and is the newsletter editor. This was published in our January 2009 newsletter, “The Town Crier.” ELLEN ROBBINS (1828 – 1905) – A WATERTOWN ARTIST

Watertown residents may be surprised to discover the many prominent people who called Watertown their home.