Placemaking

About

The Acre Partnership is focused on strengthening the Acre's unique neighborhood identity and sense of place to create public spaces that improve urban vitality and promote people's health, happiness, and well-being.

Survey Findings

We embarked on a participatory process for shaping the Acre that included surveying people in the neighborhood about how they saw the community, what they valued, and what they wanted to see.

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Brand + playbook

We developed a community-based brand and placemaking strategy which included integrating art into the public realm.

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Art in the Acre

Public art plays a crucial role in neighborhood economic development. It fosters community engagement by bringing people together, highlights the unique qualities of the neighborhood, and supports the creative economy.

These projects emerged from two parallel endeavors: Art in the Acre, championed by Mosaic Lowell and the Acre’s Transformative Development Partnership, and ArtUp Lowell, a venture led by Project LEARN, Inc.

These public art efforts harmoniously blend art, community engagement, and economic development within Lowell's Acre neighborhood. What set this project apart was its commitment to empowering local artists to actively shape their community. The Acre's identity is intimately tied to its inhabitants and allowing them to influence the kind of art that adorns their neighborhood is a testament to the project's community-centric approach. The public art on display throughout the Acre district is a direct response to the desires and aspirations of its community members. This fun initiative exemplifies the transformative power of art, culture, and community involvement in fostering a vibrant and thriving neighborhood.

Sophia's Greek Pantry Mural - Eric Allshouse

Lead artist educator: Eric Allshouse

Artists: Nev Morin, Christin Ang, Ava Ingram-Rockwell, Branden Bonner, Pharrell Peau, Raphael Freitas

Contributing Artists: Emma Burns, Ileana Mejia, EJ Theng

Journeys of Perseverance - Jay Hungate

Visible in the heart of Ecumenical Plaza, three glimmering hand-crafted fish gently move with the wind; each other on their own journey. These whimsical sculptures were created with over 500 cat food can covers that were collected by community members. The colorful acrylic fins echo the stained glass of the two spiritual centers that have anchored the plaza for generations, and their scaly armor takes on a shape reminiscent of weathervanes and wind socks.

At night, small solar lights illuminate the display. "Journeys of Perseverance" celebrates the rich history of the Acre, where the diverse individuals within the community have forged strong bonds and established new homes, driven by faith, hope, and resilience.

Flock Together - Liz Helfer

"Flock Together" is an installation of laser cut 1/4" translucent neon acrylic pieces that are silhouettes of black-capped chickadees, the Massachusetts state bird. When grouped, the silhouettes make a vibrant flock of chickadees which symbolizes the diverse people who call the Acre "home."

In two Community Creation Sessions at the Pollard Memorial Library and CTI Farmers Market, over 70 people wrote or drew a message of love for the Acre. The messages were digitized and etched onto the blue acrylic bird silhouettes as a testament to the people and locations that make the Acre unique.

Ocean Garden Mural - ERA

This mural, inspired by the concept of an "Ocean Garden," not only promotes the business that the mural is located at, but the artwork also integrates it as a local point of interest. By harmonizing with the business's vision, this artwork elevates and connects this East Asian and Southeast Asian grocery store to the larger community within Lowell and the Acre, forging stronger and more meaningful connections.

Vogue II Soul Salon - Margarita Krylova

This vibrant mural on the El Kareh building pays homage to its history as the former hair stylist salon, Vogue II. The mural depicts retro salon-goers under the iconic hairdryers and amidst elements that hint at the original interior. The owners of the salon are depicted on the upper right corner in a frame that was inspired by the vintage mirrors found inside.

The mural seamlessly blends modern vibrancy with painterly elements, offering a crisp and edgy look. Evoking nostalgia and celebrating the past, the mural immortalizes the salon's memory for all to enjoy.

Creature Collage - Matt G Draws Things

Matt G's "Creature Collage" mural is a vivid embodiment of "energy, color, and abundance," echoing the findings from the Acre Placemaking Playbook. Bursting with vibrant creature collages, it breathes life into its surroundings. Each frame reveals a world of animated, strange shapes turned into lively characters with enhanced primary colors.

The mural pulses with energy, from the dynamic expressions on the creatures' faces to the intricate scenes within each frame. It captures the essence of a bustling, vibrant community, aligning perfectly with Lowell's spirit of abundance and creativity.

The Bee - Adam O'Day and Felipe Ortiz

Felipe and Adam were each asked to come up with a design as the finalists for the mural project so they decided to team up instead and do a collaborative design. Luckily all the powers that be agreed that the collab design would work. They wanted the mural to have a theme of teamwork and learning. Who is better than bees at teamwork?

Adam had originally done a bee painting for a charity event back in 2020. There was a bee that landed on his painting palette and he took it as a sign to do a series of bee paintings. As far as Felipe's portion goes, he expertly laced out the background with a powerful image of paint splashes that morph into honeycomb and drops of honey.

Tree Talk - Kim Bernard

"Tree Talk" is a vibrant art installation that captures the spirit of the Acre community. Crafted from 612 upcycled plastic gallon milk jugs, these 13 trees feature words such as "abundance," "community," and "grit." Each tree is wrapped in a brilliant orange, with spiraling lines of the same recycled plastic color adding to the visual appeal.

The words are the result of a collaborative effort, identified through community outreach and carried out during the Acre Placemaking Playbook. Led by visiting artist Kim Bernard, this project transforms plastic waste into art and promotes environmental awareness and community engagement. The result is an inspiring and thought-provoking sculptural installation that brings vibrancy and sustainability to the community.

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