The Belmont Art Association’s inaugural public art project to create murals on some of the traffic light switcher boxes (“transformer boxes”), “Transforming Belmont,” began with a successful grant application to the Belmont Cultural Council in the fall of 2019. The entire process was approved by the Select Board and Town Administrator. Belmont Light was involved in approving box locations, and the Belmont Gallery of Art was also involved in the design selection process. The BAA “Transforming Belmont” Committee did a great deal of research before launching this project, investigating how surrounding communities have decorated some of their boxes. Belmont has no Arts Commission or official Town department which supports resident artists, and before this project began, minimal public art. The BAA undertook this project to bring joy to our community and bring attention to the many talented local artists in our area.
Our 2020 budget was limited to our Belmont Cultural Council grant award, which covered little more than the necessary materials that artists were required to use for their projects. We received enough money to decorate three boxes. The one near the Town Hall pays homage to the stained glass windows of the historic Homer House across the street, and the box on Pleasant Street in front of Varter’s Oriental Rugs is a nod to the designs on the carpets sold by this longstanding family-owned Belmont business. Both of these boxes were designed and painted by Liz LaManche. There was a great deal of public support for our project, which breathed a little joy into the pandemic-weary community. The “Dogs of Belmont” box at the intersection of Trapelo Road and Slade Street, painted by Ian Todreas, was especially pleasing to pedestrians and young people. Both artists did an outstanding job, working many long hours in the hot summer sun to complete their projects.
Finished Transformer Boxes
Media Coverage
Painting of the switcher boxes was widely covered in our local media and on the artists’ websites and social media. Here are some links:
https://belmontmedia.org/watch/belmont-journal-news-now-041620-transforming-belmont
https://belmontmedia.org/watch/news-now-transforming-belmont-9220
The Belmont Art Association is thankful for the assistance provided by the Belmont Cultural Council. This project could not have taken place without the support of the Belmont Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.