Murals painted on East Cottage & Norfolk Street

Last month marked the completion of four large murals painted on East Cottage and Norfolk Street in the Dudley Street Neighborhood. In collaboration with the MBTA and 5 local artists, this effort brings new vibrancy to the community and is a great example of the positive impact art can make in the public realm. The artists selected for the project, Luis ‘Take 1’ Taforo, Geo ‘GOFive’ Ortega, Eyevan, Ricardo Gomez, and Michael Talbot, are all local and have spent a portion of their lives in the Dudley Street community, which was an important part of DSNI's selection process. The inspiration and meanings behind each mural are rooted in perspectives that are homegrown and locally sourced.

Ortega and Taforo painted a mural entitled, “Birds of a Feather,” which has been described as a visual representation of the Dorchester and Roxbury communities with paintings of the Cape Verdean KingFisher, Papagayo de la Española, Puerto Rican Toby, Rock Pigeon, and Sunbird as examples of these respective homelands’ natural beauty as well as the adaptability of their people.

Eyevan created a piece centered around the multidimensional beauty that sunflowers display. The flower absorbs radioactive isotopes from the soil and creates fertile environments for other life to thrive. Despite adversity, their growth is never stunted, and the natural process creates a healthy ecosystem full of life around them. Eyevan believes that people embody that same power- the power to stand tall in the face of adversity and grow through it. The piece also serves as an ode to Graffiti Letters and features quotes from activists that have dedicated their lives to the struggle for Human Rights.

Gomez painted a mural emblazoned with the word, “Roxbury,” which intends to inspire positivity, uplift the community, and present a sense of joy to the overall public.

Talbot painted a mural with the theme of, “strength in the pack,” which will focus on the strength, pride, determination, courage, and diversity of the local community through the imagery of animals in packs and flora.

“Art has the ability to transform the way we experience and show up for our communities. We’re thrilled to bring amazing art and new perspective to this part of the neighborhood in collaboration with these talented local artists and the MBTA. Projects like this create opportunities for the growth and expansion of Boston’s creative economy and it’s important that we continue to prioritize and connect local artists to jobs like this. Through this partnership with the MBTA and local talent, we’re delivering the full impact.” - Sean Webster DSNI Community Organizer

Stay tuned for more updates and stories on the murals, the artists, and the process.

—Sean Webster, Community Organizer