Photo: Carl Stevens/WBZ NewsRadio
LYNN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Half a dozen new murals have appeared in downtown Lynn in recent weeks thanks to an ongoing project sponsored by the Beyond Walls initiative.
Artists from across the world have traveled to Lynn to create works of art on brick buildings around the city. Speaker, from Italy, hopes his pieces will create dialogue.
"It's important because it helps people communicate and talk," Speaker said. "Every time people come here, they try to reflect on what's on the wall and then hopefully they keep the reflection on when they get into their homes, maybe talking with the families or sparks communication."
Photo: Carl Stevens/WBZ NewsRadio
Since 2016, Beyond Walls' mission has been to activate spaces through art. Pieces like Speaker's use creativity to strengthen communities. Public spaces are enhanced through the curated murals commissioned through partnerships with local community leaders, government bodies, and organizations.
"Beyond Walls is an amazing organization. I think they bring together all the time, very good artists," Speaker stated.
The non-profit initiative was created in response to the Downtown Action Strategy's call for more art in public spaces. Since its inception, the volunteer-driven organization has hosted over 80 building-sized murals and raised over $1 million in in-kind support. Speaker is using his art to dissect what we consider our comfort zones.
"The first one is depicting the first stages of comfort zone when we stay inside of, you know, ourselves, our homes, our comfort spaces, Speaker said. "And the second piece is getting out of that zone, so interacting with the community and sharing feelings and emotions with everybody."
By inspiring communities through art, Beyond Walls' murals continue to revitalize neighborhoods by bringing awareness to local areas, increasing foot traffic, and boosting economies.
Photo: Carl Stevens/WBZ NewsRadio
WBZ NewsRadio’s Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.