SLIDESHOW: Framingham MakerSpace Installs Public Art Project Installed at Park

June 21, 2022June 21, 2022 editor Arlington Street Playground, Barbieri Elementary School, Christa McAuliffe Library Branch, Crochet, Framingham Makerspace, Public art project

Share, email, print, bookmark SOURCE reports.

FRAMINGHAM – Several years in the making, a public art project was installed on June 16 at a Framingham Park.

The Framingham MakerSpace located in the Saxonville Mill complex initiated a city-wide public art project a few years ago.

Working with former City of Framingham Participation Officer Alaa Abusalah and Framingham Parks & Recreation, Arlington Street Park was chosen as the location.

More than 30 individuals, ranging from children age 10 to senior citizens, crocheted colorful flowers.

“We set up collection boxes at the libraries and the Callahan Senior Center for anyone to contribute flowers and held some instruction meetings at the Christa McAuliffe Library and Barbieri Elementary School’s afterschool program,” explained Maria DeFelice.

Then COVID hit, and the project was never installed.

The MakerSpace assembled the flowers into five, 2-foot by 9-foot panels.

On Thursday, June 16, “we finally installed them on the fencing that separates the basketball court from the playground,” said DeFelice.

The Arlington Street playground is located South of Route 126, on the border of Districts 8 & 9.

“The response from passersby as we put them up was very positive with one resident repeatedly saying, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you!’,” DeFelice said.

The installation is intended to be temporary, said DeFelice. “We will remove it in the fall.”