The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
Watertown is proud to announce a special reception for “Passage,” a new mural honoring the profound legacy of renowned artist Arshile Gorky. The reception, co-hosted by Mount Auburn Cemetery, will take place on June 10, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Grove Street underpass on the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway.
100 Years of Arshile Gorky
The year 2025 marks a century since Arshile Gorky, born Vosdanig Adoian, departed Watertown for New York City. A seminal figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement, Gorky arrived in Watertown in March 1920 as part of a wave of Armenian immigrants seeking refuge from the 1915 Armenian Genocide. He resided in Watertown with his sisters until early 1925. Gorky’s indelible mark on art history and his continuing influence on contemporary art are immeasurable. This year, Watertown celebrates Gorky’s enduring legacy as an artist, an immigrant, and a luminary of the community.
About the “Passage” Mural by Brandon Gaia Marshall
Inspired by Gorky’s vibrant palette and flowing forms, the “Passage” mural by Brandon Gaia Marshall is a powerful visual tribute. It honors Gorky’s life and work, alongside the resilience of those affected 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.
Brandon Gaia Marshall, a highly regarded contemporary artist, brings a unique blend of personal experience and artistic vision to “Passage.” Marshall’s commitment to community engagement is evident in the mural’s creation, as he mentored two talented high school assistants, Isabelle Gorham and Charlotte, who learned spray painting techniques directly from him during the project. This collaboration highlights the educational and inspiring impact of public art.
Reception Details
Join us for the reception to celebrate this remarkable artistic addition to Watertown.
What: Mural Reception: “Passage”
When: June 10, 2025, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Grove Street underpass on the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway
Co-hosted by: Mount Auburn Cemetery
Don’t miss the walk and talk with Live Well Watertown on June 12, 2025 at 1 p.m., meeting at the intersection of Arlington St and Nichols Ave. The walk will explore the new mural and visit the sites of Gorky’s former homes, while discussing the trauma he endured and current resources for trauma available in Watertown. For more information about the “Passage” mural and Watertown’s “100 Years of Arshile Gorky” celebration, please visit https://arcg.is/04bOWS.
