New Bedford ART WALK

Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself, is get out of town. With cool ocean breezes, bustling harbors, picturesque towns and small beaches a day trip down South Coastal Massachusetts seems like one of the best options, at least this time of year.

I had been checking out the Public art in New Bedford for a while, but it was “Plastic Rooster” by Bordalo that ultimately got me there. New Bedford was not at all what I imagined. It was bigger than I thought it would be, a small city not a large town, the population was far more diverse, and the art was far more abundant than I had anticipated.

The Public art in New Bedford celebrates everything that is and has been a part of New Bedford. It is very much a love letter to the city telling us the story of a resilient and evolving community with a vision for its future. The art in place celebrates the city’s maritime and abolitionist history, it talks to us about the diverse and vibrant community that lives there, and it shows a hopeful vision for a future that is full of innovation and creativity.

On this art walk you won’t just see public art you will also walk through the beautiful and historic downtown area and see galleries, museums, window art, parking meter art, and if you’re there in the warmer months you might see seasonal waterfront installations that run right along the street side of the harbor.

I want to add a thank you to all the artists, and organizations that have worked together to get all of this art installed, and who have provided support and/or production assistance because it matters, and makes a difference.

The New Bedford Art Walk is a 1.5 miles Art Walk set in Downtown Newbedford and along the Waterfront. It features 44 unique pieces of art that reflect on the History, community and innovation that has shaped and continues reshaping New Bedford today.

New Bedford is easily accessible by car. The Downtown area has parking garages and on street parking. Please check Explore New Bedford Website for more information.

There is now also a commuter rail that runs to New Bedford from Boston’s South Station. Its about an hour ride and leaves you about a 17 minute walk from downtown (probably about a mile). There may also be busses to take you to downtown but please double check that before you leave. You can find more information about it on the Commuter Rail Website

I recommend before visit you check out the Visiting New Bedford website at Explore New Bedford Website . This is an excellent resource.

Side note: New Bedford also has their own tours on the Bloomberg Connects App, these are shorter and more spread out but they have a lot of additional information about some of the pieces.

As always be careful as you explore, this is city with a busy downtown area. There is traffic and many different people from all walks. Please respect the neighborhood, the art, the artists and the people who live and work there.

Have a safe visit and Happy Art Walking!

DISCLAIMER: By using the contents of this Art Walk you understand and accept that you travel at your own risk and accept all of the risks involved in participating in a walking tour. We are not liable for any losses, harm or damage to your person or your belongings stemming from the use of the information on this website or any of our tours. We in no way condone trespassing or the destruction of public or private property. We reserve the right to change and/or update the information as needed. This project is for individual use only. Publication without permission by creator is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted. Any and all content included on this packet and on the website is subject to copyright including all written copy, images, graphics and maps.

Ready to start your adventure?

Download the Art Walk Map and List for just 5$ to get started!

ART WALK STATS

Published: June 30, 2025

Total Distance: approx 1.5 mi

Estimated Time: 1-1.5 hours

City/Town: New Bedford, Massachusetts

Getting There:

By Train: New Bedford takes a little over an hour by commuter rail. You can catch the train at South Station. Please check the schedule before you go. There are two trains. One goes direct to New Bedford, the other goes to Fall River and then busses you to the New Bedford Depot. The drop off in New Bedford is about a 17 minute walk to the Downtown area.

By Car: New Bedford is about an hour by car. On street parking is pretty easy to find and there are also parking garages that are accessible. Definitely use your GPS if you have it. For more information about visiting New Bedford check out Explore New Bedford Website

ART WORK LIST

Artist information, website, and IG handle included where available

  1. “Threshold” by Mark Reigelman II, 2023 (@reigelman)  Produced in collaboration with DATMA. @_Datma Custom House Square

  2. "Recycled Fish” by Artist Unknown.  Custom House Square.  On Barker’s Lane.

  3. Moses Mural” by Mark “Maki” Carvalho.  Acushnet Ave

  4. "Winds of Change  – #1” by Greg Pennisten, 2019.  Produced in collaboration with DATMA @_DATMA. Acushnet Ave.

  5. “Love Wins” by Ryan McFee with Jeff Saint, Brian Tillett, Aleisea Guzman, and Meaggsy Bogues SuperflatNB, 2019.  Acushnet Ave. 

  6. “Money Tree Lure Mural” by Alex Jardin, 2017.  Wings Court. 

  7. “Love Mural” by Cey Adams, 2018.  Wings Court. 

  8. Wings Court Rotating Art Space.  by Multiple Artists. 2020-Present. Wings Court

  9. “NB Kiss” by Ryan McFee (@paradise_mcfee). Wings Court

  10. “R2D2” by Ryan McFee (@paradise_mcfee). Wings Court

  11. “Seagulls” by Ryan McFee (@paradise_mcfee). Wings Court

  12. “Animal” (as in The Muppet) by Ryan McFee (@paradise_mcfee).  Wings Court

  13. “Cup” by Ryan McFee. Wings Court

  14. “Harpoon Ship” by Ryan McFee & Todd Woodward.  (@paradise_mcfee / @woodzart) Wings Court

  15. “Octopus and Lighthouse Mural” by Ryan McFee & Todd Woodward.   (@paradise_mcfee / @woodzart)  Purchase and Williams St. On top of building.

  16. “In Motion” by Brain Tillett, 2020.  Purchase St. Crosswalk

  17. “Tiled Mosaic” by artist unknown.  On side of No Problemo Tacos.

  18. “Whaleman Statue” by Bela Lyon Pratt, 1910-1913.  At Library

  19. “Frederick Douglass Memorial Plaque” by Reno Pisano, 1996.  At Library

  20. “Seaflower” by James Surls, 1978. Large Installation in front of Social Security Administration Building. Corner of Elm St and N. Sixth Street.

  21. “Lewis Temple Statue" by James C. Toatle,1987  At Library.

  22. “Portrait” by Jeff Saint.  Corner or Sixth and Union Street.

  23. “Frederick Douglass Labor History Mural” by Danny Deveny, 2001.  Corner of Sixth and Spring Streets.

  24. “Buddha Spicy Lime Mural” Brian Tillett, 2024 (@bbthegun508) 522 Pleasant Street.

  25. “Black Lives Matter” by Tanisha Ferrer, 2021. 202 Union Street

  26. “Plastic Rooster” by Artur Bordalo, 2024 (@b0rdaloii). Produced in collaboration with DATMA @_DATMA. At YMCA on the Corner of Union St and S. Second St.

  27. “The Water We’re Swimming in” by Elaine Alder, 2025. (@menderqueer). Produced in partnership with National Park Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and New Bedford Whaling Museum. In Cuffe Park at Whaling Museum.  On the corner of First and Union St.

  28. “Mood-vironment” by Mona Ghandi, 2025.  Produced in collaboration with DATMA @_Datma. At the corner of Rte 18 and Union Street.  Waterfront

  29. Seaport Installation Space. Rotating seasonal installations placed along the waterfront.  This changes and runs a long the front of the waterfront.

  30. “Moby Dick” by Donna Dodson, 2012 (@donnadodsonartist). Waterfront

  31. “Secret City whale Pod” series by Mandy Fraser. (`@mandyfraserart) Waterfront

  32. “The Fishermen's Tribute Monument" by Erik Durant, 2016.  Waterfront

  33. “Carried on a Wing: Homage to the Wampanoag Nation” by Eric Lintala, 2023 Waterfront

  34. “Perdido en el Viento” (Lost in the Wind) by David Cárdenas, 2019.  Waterfront

  35. “I am the Walrus, I am the Hunter Sculpture” by Eric Lintala, 2010. Waterfront

  36. “Glittering Patterns” by Keith Francis, 2022.  (@keithfrancisart) Waterfront

  37. “Habitat Eelgrass, Zostera, Art Installation” by John Magnan. Waterfront

  38. “Historical Society Jazz Mural a.ka. JazzWall featuring Rick Britto, Armsted Christian, Paul Gonsalves, Bobby Greene, Herbie King, and Joe Livramento.” by Kat Knutsen, 2020. (@katknutsenart) 23 Centre St.  Waterfront

  39. “Farewell Whale Tale Statue” by Cabot Lyford, 2022 at Whaling Museum.  Corner of North Water St and William St.

  40. “Recycled Whale” by Marnie Sinclair, 2023.  on entrance  at Whaling Museum.  Corner of First and William Street.

  41. “54th Mass Volunteer Regiment Mural” by Jared Bader., 2015.  Corner of N. 2nd St and Williams St. 

  42. “Historical Artists of New Bedford Mural” by Severin “Sig” Haines, Zach Meunier, and Artworks! Teen Mural Project. In  Corner of N. 2nd St and Williams St. 

  43. “New Bedford Family Tree” by Teen Mural Crew, 2007.  Corner of N. 2nd St and Williams St. next to “Postcards to New Bedford.”

  44. “Postcards to New Bedford” series By Greg Pennisten, Kailey Barrows, Alex Jardin, Lena McCarthy, and Eden Soares, 2020.  On the back of 674 Pleasant Street