The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
The City of Watertown invites the community to celebrate the intersection of art and commerce at the opening reception for “Open for Business,” a public art initiative featuring two new site-specific installations in the heart of Coolidge Square.
The reception will take place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artists, experience the completed works, and explore the diverse local businesses that define the character of the square.
Launched during the Mount Auburn Street reconstruction, “Open for Business” was designed to maintain the vibrancy of the district and encourage foot traffic during a period of infrastructure transformation.
“These installations serve as a beacon, drawing residents and visitors to rediscover our cherished local establishments,” says Liz Helfer, Public Arts & Culture Planner. “By bringing world-class art to our sidewalks, we are turning a period of construction into an opportunity for discovery.”
Featured Artworks:
“Dazzling the Pines” by Nighthouse Studio Located nestled beside the playground and basketball court at Sullivan Park, this sculptural installation features strands of stainless steel spheres suspended among the pine trees. By day, they scatter sunlight into a shifting constellation of reflections; by night, a subtle choreography of projected light transforms the canopy into a glowing, immersive environment.
“Transitional” by MASARY Studios Standing at a substantial 16’ x 9’, this low-relief sculpture depicts motion frozen in time on the wall of Coolidge Hardware. Utilizing typical roadway lane markers—a nod to the neighborhood’s current transportational shift—the fins catch the passing light of the city. In the evening, the reflectors react to passing headlights, creating a “dance of light” that reveals shifting shadows and alleys of color.
Event Details
- What: Opening Reception for “Open for Business”
- When: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Coolidge Hardware, 622 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown, MA
- Highlights: Meet the artists from Nighthouse Studio and MASARY Studios, enjoy the local atmosphere, and support multi-generational family businesses and eateries in the Square.
The “Open for Business” project is a City of Watertown initiative funded to support the economic and cultural health of the Coolidge Square business district. Each artist team was selected for their ability to create durable, engaging works that capture the history, connection, and change of this historic gateway.