Codman Square Proposal Destiny Palmerdestinypalmer.com / destinypalmer@gmail.com

Converge

“The history of Codman Square can be traced to 1600’s, when it was formed at the intersection of an ancient Native American road with one commissioned by the Massachusetts Bay Colony connecting Roxbury to Braintree. Named for Rev. John Codman (1782-1847), first pastor of the Second Church, Codman Square has been since its formation a major crossroads of diverse cultures, ethnicities, and commerce.”- William J. Walczak.

Throughout history shifts and changes have been made to allow for communities to grow ad thrive. As the demographics have shifted but Codman Square has continued been a central space in Dorchester, that serves the largest diverse populations in Boston.

“In 1654, the Massachusetts Bay Colony ordered the construction of a road from Roxbury to Braintree (now Warren and Washington Streets). This road became known as the Upper or High Road. In 1661, River Street was constructed connecting the upper falls with the lower falls of the Neponset River, and soon after this, Centre Street was built con-necting the Upper and Lower Roads. Centre Street was a continuation of an old Indian trail from the upper falls of the Neponset to salt water, partly perpetuated in Norfolk Street.” William J. Walczak

My interests lies in this history, as it is able to unveil Dorchester’s uniqueness. If one were to look at Codman Square’s history alone, they would gain a snippet of Boston’s history spanning generations.

This proposal really takes into account Codman Squares history, es-pecially as it continues to be the intersection where different types of people are crossing paths. With that I present to you CONVERGE.

From an intial sketch from Kyle Zick and Rob Barella. I like that the design emphasised Centre Street. This design suggests taking down the fence that seperates the church and the park. Though still seperated by furniture or shrubs, this would create a different dynamic between the accessible spaces.

Areas of Focus 1. Main Archway 2. New Seating 3. Re Paving to make a larger walkway4. Community Boards5. Supporting Community engagement for a mural wall, in collaboration with Nick Z and team.

Boston’s history has been tied to tensions and the growth of various communities. Inspired by Codman Square’s history, the creation of an asymetrical arch was designed. The arch is an actual layout of the intersections that make up Codman Square’s most trafficed area. The main intersection of Washington St, Talbot Ave, and Norfolk St, create a dome like shape that will stand over a new walkway and creates a new framing for the steeple of the Second Church of Dorchester. There will be information plaques on each leg of the archway. Information to be determined at a later date.

Spec of the Sculptural Element :

Height: 18’- 20’Footprint Diameter: 18’- 19’

Material: 3/4” Steel, with an edge to strengthen the structure

Texture: Laser a repeated pattern created by the same intersection.

Color: Yellow, To represent brighter horizons, peace, and friendship.

Lighting: Funds have been set aside, the technical should be discussed as to what can be used from cur-rent electric sources in the park.

Example of a version of a pattern that will be laser cut into the steel. This is an outline of the main intersection, upon closer inspection, this begins to reference the veins

Rendered image of the structure with the pattern before color.

Example of what the laser cut pattern would appear like. Rendered image of structure with laser cut texture and color.

Seating

I am proposing removing the fence that seperates the church and park. That would allow the walkway, Center Street, to be repaved and widen. This would address the concerns for the consistent activity in the park, which is the Farmer’s market. The benchs are inspired by a design created and supported by WMB studios. The alternative to their design is the material. This shift in the material and design, are meant to endure Northeast weather and hopefull prevent loitering, yet create a dynamic visual that a younger age group would be attracted to. There will be two sections of the seating on either side of the archway.

Seating Specs.

Widest Width: 52”

Length: 30’

Height: 36”

Material: Aluminum

Color: Powder Coated Blue

Walkway

To address the main concerns of the community and how it generates traffic, was the farmers market. To support and to help the growth of the farmers market in Codman Square. I propose to repave the entire walk way widening the walkway to about 25 feet. Which allow the pathway to be central to a particular area and allow for vendors to exisit on both sides of the path and foot traffic.

The simpler concrete pathway always for another proposal. Which is a annual painted walk way. To celebrate Juneteeth as it pertains to this area’s history. Along with many of the the pilgrams that established farms here, slaves also dwelled on the land. As an annual celebration to honor Juneteeth, I propose an annual mural day(s).

I would like to allocated some funds to start this inniative and support it for the first 2-3 years, until funding can be aquired to main it as an annual event for the community.

This would be a great oppurtunity to engage with public space in a different way for the community, to highlight creatives of the community and activate the park.

Walkway specs:

Width: 25’Length: 100’

Material: Concrete Paint

Community Boards

As a ask of the community, I am suggesting to community boards to be installed at both park entrances of Centre St. These are central to catching the most of the foot traffic, entering and exit-ing the park. These would need to be updated with relevant information by a specific community group.

Community Board Specs: Material : Aluminum Tempered Glass. Surface: Powder Coated Color: Red, as to be seen and identified from a distance.

Budget

Contingency $30,000

Steel Arches $118,500.00 Includes Fabrication, Painting, Installation, Foundation, Shipping, Labor, Laser-cutting

Benches Total $81,500.00 Includes Fabrication, Painting, Installation, Foundation, Shipping, Labor,

Concrete Walkway $32,000 Includes Labor and Installation

Walkway Painting $6000 Includes Paint and Maintance for first 3 years

Community Boards $2000 Includes shipping and Installation

Artist Fee $30,000 Includes travel to Fabrication studio

Estimates provided by Toledo Twisted Metal

Education 2017 MFA, Tyler School of Art, Temple University 2010 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Massachusetts College of Art Norfolk School of Music and Art, Yale University Norfolk, CtResidency 2018 Vermont Studio Center, AugustAwards2018 St. Boltoph Foundation Award Nellie Taft Award for Painting Artist Opportunity Fund Fellowship2017 Emerging Artist, State of Connecticut2009 Departmental Award for Excellence, 2D Fine Arts Department Unsung Hero Award Leadership Award2008 Ellen Battell Fellowship Massachusetts College of Art Painting Auction Award2007 Artist and Craftsman AwardProfessional ExperienceCurrent Assistant Professor, Massachusetts College of Art and Design2015-2017 Graduate Assistant, Temple Contemporary 2014- 2016 Arts and Culture Transition, Member, City of Boston 2014 Studio Practice Teacher, Massachusetts College of Art2012- 2015 Adjunct Faculty, Visual Arts Department, Boston Arts AcademyWorkshops/Guest Lectures2017 MassArt, Art Education Dept, Boston, Ma2014 Wonder Women of Boston, Strength and Courage Series, Boston, Ma Polly Thayer Starr Artist Series, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, Ma2013 After Hours, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, Ma Artward Bound, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, Ma2012 Artward Bound, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MaSolo Exhibitions2017 Clenched, Arnheim Gallery, Boston, Ma Gained and Gathered, Temple Contemporary, Philadelphia, Pa2015 Remembered Color, Mayor’s Gallery, City Hall, Boston, Ma2013 Continuous Pt.1, TLC Arts and Science Foundation, Quincy, Ma The Beginning: Continuous, Erick Jean Center for the Arts2011 Solo, Bunker Hill Community College Chelsea Campus, Chelsea, Ma2010 Who invited red? Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, Ma 2009 Welcome to..., Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, Ma Inverted Confession, Artist Foundation, Boston, Ma Invited Conversation, Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, MaSelected Group Exhibitions2018 #Sayhername, Vandernoot Gallery, Cambridge, Ma Stitch and Syntax, New Art Center, Newton, Ma2017 Urgent Care, The Colored Girls Museum, Philadelphia, Pa Broad Stripes and Bright Stars, New Haven, Ct

Cont’d

Overstitch, Automat Collective, Philadelphia, PaMore is Contained Then What is Revealed, Art and Craft Holdings, Philadelphia, Pa2016 Black History Matters 365, Vandernoot Gallery Cambridge, Ma City Life, Oficia, Boston, Ma2015 Show What You Teach, Gordon Gallery, Boston, Ma2014 No Country for Old Men, Landmark College, Putney, Vt2013 Junteenth Celebration, Musuem of Fine Arts, Boston, Ma Can I kick it? , Paris Street Gallery, Everett, Ma Black by Popular Demand, Gallery 360 Northeastern University2012 New Media/Fresh Paint II, New Art Center, Newton, Ma Traditions Remixed, Strand Theatre, Dorchester, Ma Sound Influence, New Haven Arts Council, New Haven, Ct Visions, Cambridge City Hall, Cambridge, Ma Identity, Boston City Hall, Boston, Ma New Media/ Fresh Paint, SpringStep, Medford, Ma2011 One Man’s Trash, Gallery at the Piano Factory, Boston, Ma Off the Pages, Hourglass Tattoo Shop, Somerville, Ma Ethnic Ties, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston, Ma Ladies First, Hancock 309 Gallery, Dorchester, Ma Traditions Remixed, Resnikoff Gallery, Boston, Ma Iwa I’ Ewa, Dot to Dot Cafe, Boston, Ma Collaboration, Piano Factory, Boston, Ma Unmentioned, Misson Bar & Grill, Boston, Ma2010 Emerging Artists, Transportation Building, Boston, Ma Introducing Traditions Remixed, Dorchester, Ma The Gene Pool, The Piano Factory Gallery, Boston, Ma Store Show Series, Carry Out, MEME Gallery, Cambridge, Ma Co-Lab Show, Doran Gallery, Boston, Ma2009 Beg, Borrow, Steal, LaMontagne Gallery, Boston, Ma Paint Black on Canvas, Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, Ma Co-Lab Show, Doran Gallery, Boston, Ma2008 Atmosphere, Instillation Station, Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, Ma Black Artists’ Union, Dot to Dot Cafe, Boston, Ma Calvin Burnett Tribute, Presidents’ Gallery, Massachusetts College of Art Roxbury Open Studios, Boston, Ma Influence, Piano Factory Boston, Ma 777 Toy Battle, Underground Hip Hop Boston, Ma The Greatest Day on Earth, Earth Day, Artist for Humanity, Boston, Ma Amalgam II, Gallery at the Piano Factory Boston, Ma The Purple Show, Si El Gallery Boston, Ma

Permanent Collections/ Installations Whittier Health Center Boston, Ma Lincoln Property Company Lincoln, Ma Aloft Hotel Boston, MaAffiliated with deCordova Museum, Art Loan Program, Lincoln, Ma

Public Art CommissionsNavy Yard, Philadelphia (Awarded)Saxby, Temple University (Awarded)Gertrude Howes (Finalist)