After an extensive lockdown and what felt like endlessly looping around my neighborhood on a seemingly endless series of the same walks, I decided I needed a new backdrop. In normal times if I needed to refresh I would meet up with friends to hang out or and grab some dinner or maybe even plan a weekend excursion but in Covid times doing anything inside, much less visiting a museum, has become a lot more complicated. The idea of not seeing any new people and experiencing new things was asking too much so I decided to head to East Boston.
With the ICA Watershed already established as a creative hotspot (closed for the cold months) and Harbor Arts working to bring more public art to the Boston Waterfront the addition of the new murals exploring ocean advocacy scheduled to go up mid summer seemed incredibly fortuitous. Although I had periodically visited the ICA and the ICA Watershed in the East Boston Shipyard prior to Covid I didn’t know what I expected as I exited the Maverick T-Stop with my facemask on for the first time in honestly a very long time. What I found was an inspiring cache of incredible art ensconced in different locations around the lively and diverse neighborhood that is East Boston.
This trip I was focused on finding the 19 new murals that were going up in the neighborhood as part of Seawalls Boston 2021. Created in collaboration with a roster of national and international mural artists the Seawalls: Artists for Oceans project is part of the PangeaSeed Foundation’s public art program that has been working with artists all over the world to create public art that engages and educates audiences about the challenges facing our oceans. Boston is now home to 21 of those murals, with 19 installed in East Boston, (there is also one in front of the Aquarium and one next to Fenway Park). East Boston is a rapidly evolving neighborhood rich with history and diversity along with the new additions there is a collection of classic murals whose age speaks to the tenacity of a neighborhood and the determination of the inhabitants that have made it what it is.
Please keep in mind as you tour that the city is a busy place with people from all walks. It is up to you to be careful as you walk around. Please respect the neighborhood(s) and the people who live and work there, and have a safe visit.
Download map & list of art work
Total Distance: 4.0 Miles/ 6.43 kilometers
Estimated Time: 1:15 min – 2:30 min, depending on your pace.
Neighborhood: East Boston
Closest Subway: Maverick Station, Blue Line
HUNGRY?! This area is known for having a lot of excellent Central and South American food, along with some of our more typical regional New England fare. If you are looking for ideas for places to eat I recommend taking a look at Boston Eater, it’s an excellent resource for those looking for some good food. Here is a link to a second article for good measure.
DISCLAIMER
I have taken every effort to provide the most accurate information in the content of this website site. You travel at your own risk. Travel smart and travel safe. I am not liable for any losses or damage arising from the use of the information on this website nor can I be held responsible for any unforeseen situations that may arise while you are using the information provided. I in no way condone trespassing or the destruction of public or private property. I reserve the right to change and/or update the information as needed. Any and all content included on this site is subject to copyright including written copy, images, graphics and maps.
ART WORK LIST
*Instagram handle, name and website included where available
- “Maverick Square” by C. Lauson. At the corner of Maverick and Henry Street
- “untitled” Paris Street Mural by City of Boston Mural Crew, 2017. 82 Paris Street.
- “History of East Boston” by Unknown Artist – 155 Meridian Street. Side of Americano Espresso Bar.
- “Untitled” by @done_rite_designs at La Hacienda Restaurant. 150 Meridian Street, the Mural is actually on the back side, on Liverpool Street.
- “Protect What You Love” by @itsaliving – Central Square, East Boston. Behind MacDonalds and Autozone. Seawalls Bostonv 2021
- “Death to Plastic” by @tallboy666 – 160 Liverpool Street. Seawalls Boston 2021
- “Guiding Giants” by @tajfrancis – 150 Liverpool Street. Seawalls Boston 2021
- “Fear” by @sophytuttle – 60 Border Street. Seawalls Boston 2021
- “Zumix Radio Block Party Mural” by Liz LaManche (& Volunteers) IG @Liz_lamanche 250 Summer Street. 2017
- “Precipice” by @beaustanton – East Boston Fire Station & Mary Ellen Welch Greenway. Easily viewed from S. Breman Street. Seawalls Boston 2021
- “Guardian” by @josiemorway – Cunard Tavern. 24 Orleans Street. Seawalls Boston 2021
- “Untitled” blue mural by Unknown. Marginal Street, at entryway to East Boston Shipyard on Left side.
- “Gates of Transcendence” by Michael Alfano. Installation. East Boston Shipyard
- “Kelp Meal Makes Excellent Soil” by Paul Howe. Installation. East Boston Shipyard
- “Sky Cranes” by Rachel Mello. Sculpture.
- “Untitled” Pink person with fish and cityscape by Unknown. East Boston Shipyard
- “Protect What You Love” by @Imagine876 East Boston Shipyard. Seawalls Boston 2020
- “Diving Lady” by Unknown.
- “Home of Chowder King” restored by Neon Williams
- “Fight the Rise” by @josiemorway – East Boston Shipyard. Seawalls Boston 2020
- “Rise” by @silvialopezchavez – East Boston Shipyard. Seawalls Boston 2020
- “The Codfish” by Steve Israel. Above “Rise”.
- “The Calling” by @vise_1_boston & @julzroth East Boston Shipyard. Seawalls Boston 2020
- “Intersectional Environmentalism” by @artyouhungry – Donald McKay Elementary School. 122 Cottage Street. Seawalls Boston 2021.
- “Aquatic Dimensions” by @felipeortizart – Donald McKay Elementary School. 122 Cottage Street. Seawalls Boston 2021
- “Guardianes del Mar” by @oh_sabadee – Donald McKay Elementary School. 122 Cottage Street. Seawalls Boston 2021
- “Solo Hay Un Océano” by @artworkofkai & @most_funky_click – Donald McKay Elementary School. 122 Cottage Street. Seawalls Boston 2021
- “Untitled” by @Marka_27 – Donald McKay Elementary School. 122 Cottage Street. Seawalls Boston 2021
- “To Immigrants with Love” by Mayor’s Martin Walsh’s Office of Immigrant Advancement and the Mayor’s Mural Crew. Under Summer Street overpass
- “Rising Tides” by @sophytuttle – Mary Ellen Welch Greenway, Summer Street underpass, Seawallls Boston, 2020
- “Untitled” 2020. Plant Life mural by The Boston Natural Areas Network Youth Corp beneath Gove Street overpass, 2020
- “East Boston Greenway” by East Boston Greenway Mural by Boston Natural Areas Youth Conservation Corp. Under Gove Street overpass, 2006
- “Hope and Resistance” by @afhboston – Mary Ellen Welch Greenway, Under Porter Street Overpass. Seawalls Boston 2021
- “Untitled” The Boston Natural Areas Network Youth Conservation Corps, 2017
- “Heart of the Ocean” by @felipeortiz – 260 Bremen Street. Seawalls Boston 2021. Follow the path to the ranger station, exit to the left and this mural is just across the street on the side of a garage.
- “Parasitic Pandora” by @squid.licker – 62 Chelsea Street. Seawalls Boston 2021
SIDEQUESTS !!! (These are absolutely beautiful but NOT in Eastie)
- “A Vital and Vibrant Ocean for All” by Shepard Fairy @obeygiant – Seawalls Boston 2021. Aquarium T Stop, Blue Line
- “PROTECT” by @dragon76art – Seawalls Boston 2021. This is in the alley between 120-126 Brookline Ave. Boston. Close to the Kenmore Square T Stop, Greenline. It is also easily viewable from Van Ness Street.
PHOTO GALLERY
The East Boston Art Walk map and tour is part of The Art Walk Project © Julia Swanson, 2022. To learn more about it and see other Art Walks please visit my website jscreatesonline.com.
The Art Walk Project 