Malcolm X Park Public Arts Project

Malcolm X Park Public Arts Project We commissioned artists to create murals on three of the basketball courts at Malcolm X Park and the adjacent wall of BCYF Shelburne in Roxbury. Page Sections Have questions? Contact: send an email Project Phase Pending Planning Design Construction Complete Project Information Location Malcolm X Park Roxbury 02119 See all Project Features Public Art See all Year Completed 2023 Artist Geo "GoFive" Ortega with Luis "Take One" Taforo Artist Rob “Problak” Gibbs Artist Sydney G. James Artist Otra Ciudad (with Nomada Urbano) Primary Project Type Arts and Culture Recenter About the Murals The renovation of Malcolm X Park (completed in 2023) aimed to enhance the recreation for children of all ages, increase lighting, improve courts, and offer art and educational spaces. The Boston Art Commission and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the City's mural consultant, Street Theory, commissioned four new artworks to complement the park's renovation: a mural on an exterior wall of the BCYF Shelburne, and three murals on the park's basketball courts. A Legacy of Color | BCYF Shelburne Photo by G.Ortiz Photography Artists: Geo 'GoFive' Ortega with Luis ‘Take One’ Taforo The artists' ties to Roxbury shine through in this mural, paying homage to the legacy of Malcolm X., the neighborhood, and its community. On the left side of the mural, a young boy is seen putting on shoes that are too large for him. This image represents young people stepping into the legacy that they want to build for themselves, even when they don't feel ready yet, serving as a reminder that the right time to start is always the present. Give Them Their Flowers | Court #1 Photo by G.Ortiz Photography Artists: Rob 'ProBlak' Gibbs with Lee ‘Soems’ Beard, Ricardo ‘DEME5’ Gomez, Michael Talbot, Ayana Mack, and Luis Urena Give Them Their Flowers is the creative vision Roxbury-native Rob ‘ProBlak’ Gibbs and his team of Boston artists hailing from Roxbury, Mattapan, and Dorchester. With a prominent “X” running across the court, a reference to both Malcolm X and Gibbs’ beloved neighborhood, the mural is a celebration of the city and the people he loves and honors. “Giving someone their flowers” is an act of paying respect to someone, highlighting and acknowledging an individual's contributions, achievements, struggles, and successes that might not be well known. “A strong, dedicated team can help you achieve the dream,” reflected Rob ‘ProBlak’ Gibbs. “This isn’t the work of just one person; this piece reflects who we are, who cares, and how we were raised. Together, we’ve created something lasting—a heartfelt testament to our Love and commitment to a place we call home. We were raised to care deeply about our community, and we’re not just building something functional; we’re building something purposeful. Something that speaks to the heart of this area, something for the youth to inherit. This is Roxbury Love, Breathing Life into this destination for years to come.” Anything Under The Suns | Court #2 Photo by Lamar Landars Artists: Sydney G. James (Detroit, MI) with Gina ‘FlowrBomb’ Latham (Roxbury, MA), Ijania Cortez (Detroit), Nadd Harvin/Nadd the Nomad, (Richmond, VA), Sagie Vangelina (Roxbury, MA), Sharinna ‘Rinna’ Travieso (Worcester, MA) Inspired by Malcolm X’s powerful words, When a person places the proper value on freedom, there is nothing under the sun that he will not do to acquire that freedom, artist Sydney G. James led an all-female team to create a striking mural that celebrates the deep connection between Detroit and Roxbury while honoring Malcolm X’s vital teachings on the importance of freedom. City parks and basketball courts serve as symbols of unrestrained freedom, and in this mural, figures burst forth from the court, reaching for the stars. “It was truly a privilege and honor leading the super talented group of young women artists to create "Anything Under the Suns…," said lead artist Sydney G. James. “The piece was designed to reflect all of our individual artistic styles which resulted in a harmonic composition and harmonic and diligent working environment. It was everyone on our Team's first time painting on a basketball court. The image we created, the beautiful Roxbury community, and the words that inspired it gave us the proper motivation to do the work beautifully and efficiently." X-Legacy | Court #3 Photo by Otra Ciudad Artists: Otra Ciudad and Nómada Estudio Urbano. Nicolas Orellana (Boston, MA), Sebastian Cuevas (Santiago, Chile), Miguel Mendoza (Ciudad Juárez, Mexico) X-Legacy is a collaboration between a Boston-based team and international partner who created a hybrid collage between the legacy of Malcolm X and the resilience and transformative power of the community in Roxbury. Through patterns, geometries, iconography, and a vibrant color palette, the aim of X-Legacy is to create a new urban narrative that promotes the empowerment of the residents. Additionally, the graphics on the court adapt to the lines of the game, ensuring that the artwork does not become intrusive during a basketball game. "Participating in the Malcolm X Park project has been an incredible honor, especially alongside such talented teams,” said Nicolas Orellana of Otra Ciudad. “As a Hispanic group, being able to give back to Boston, and especially to a neighborhood like Roxbury—so rich in culture, history, and resilience—has been deeply rewarding. The community’s warmth and gratitude reminds us why public art work matters. Locals have welcomed us, and their support means the world. We hope this vibrant artwork will inspire even more people to enjoy and celebrate this meaningful space." About the Artists Photo by G.Ortiz Photography Geo "GoFive" Ortega and Luis "Take1" TAforo For over eight years, GoFive has provided the public of Boston with access to creative and inventive installations of public art. Through the medium of aerosol, and drawing on the rich mural and graffit