Engagement Center Murals by Alex Cook

Engagement Center Murals by Alex Cook We commissioned artist Alex Cook to create a series of four interior murals at The Engagement Center. Page Sections Have questions? Contact: send an email Project Phase Pending Planning Design Construction Complete Project Information Location 26 Atkinson Street South End 02118 See all Project Features Public Art See all Year Completed 2021 Artist Alex Cook Primary Project Type Arts and Culture Recenter The murals were installed in November 2021. Project Details Project Context The City of Boston commissioned Alex Cook to create this mural series as part of the third round of the Transformative Public Art Program. The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture allocated more than $1 million toward murals at 10 sites across nine neighborhoods as part of the program. The total budget for this project was $75,000. The murals are located inside the Engagement Center in Newmarket Square. On this project, Alex collaborated with the: Office of Recovery Services, and Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics. Transformative Public Art Program The Site The Engagement Center opened in August 2017 and moved into a new building at 26 Atkinson Street in December 2021. It's a welcoming, low-threshold daytime space for individuals navigating homelessness and substance use to: access resources engage in recovery, behavioral health, and homeless services, and receive nursing care and medical support. Participants receive daily nursing care, including medication management, from Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. They can also receive medical care, connect with a behavioral health provider, and start substance use disorder treatment. The Artworks Four murals make up this series: "Tree of Life" is sited in the entrance hall of the building. It measures 7 feet wide by 9 feet high. A simple, life-affirming tree of life image greets all who enter through the front door. The tree is set in a dawn landscape with quiet starry sky above. It calls to mind new beginnings and a sense of calm much larger than the drama of any individual human story. "You Are Loved", located in the main room, has that sentence reduced to the letters’ simplest shapes while retaining legibility. A broad color spectrum is analogous to the broad array of life experiences lived by all using the space. Divisions of space and simple dash patterns infuse the whole design with movement. "Tree with Network of Stars" is in the special programs room. It depicts a tree similar to the first mural illuminated in a night landscape. The stars are linked to one another. They call to mind the connection of human lives within the vast universe. The staff break room has "Thank You Heroes", which serves as a “secret” message to the staff of the Engagement Center. It was conceived as a rejuvenating message for the staff. This work reminds them that they are seen, appreciated, and recognized for the difficult work they are doing. "Tree of Life" by Alex Cook. Closeup of "You Are Loved" by Alex Cook. "Tree with Network of Stars" by Alex Cook. "Thank You Heroes" by Alex Cook. Meet the Artist Meet the Artist Alex Cook Alex Cook Artist, Engagement Center interior murals Since 1997, Alex Cook has created over 220 murals in 21 states and 4 countries (USA, Kenya, Nigeria, and Guatemala). Alex’s work focuses on community and spiritual themes expressed through nature imagery and storytelling. In 2004 Cook founded Art Builds Community, a mural painting program for teenagers in his hometown of Boston, MA. ABC hired teens during summers, teaching them the skills of mural painting and creating many murals in the neighborhoods of Boston and surrounding areas. Over many years Cook has taught art and creativity to children and adults in many different situations ranging from alternative high schools and court-ordered community reintegration programs, to after school programs and summer camps. His work in education and the powerful experiences of creating art in public have caused Cook’s artwork to become deeply social. Many of his mural projects include community participation during which community members are invited to make their contribution to a larger artwork within a structure. For Cook, painting is only half of the art – the other half is creating environments in which community members feel the love of connection and creation. Past collaborations have been with community groups, schools, churches, prisons, youth organizations and many more. One of Cook’s current endeavors, the YOU ARE LOVED mural project, makes murals whose image is simply the words “YOU ARE LOVED”. It began as a mural message to students in an elementary school in New Orleans, LA, and has grown into a project working with communities all over the US to influence public conversation about self-worth and value. To date, there are 99 YOU ARE LOVED murals in 14 states and 2 countries. They are in schools, homeless shelters, prisons, worship communities, and more. See more at stonebalancer.com and youarelovedmurals.com. Watch the Video Related Resources Related Resources Learn more about public art in Boston Learn more about public meetings and the Boston Art Commission Learn more about the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture Who's Involved Arts and Culture 617-635-4445 Have questions? Contact: send an email