Homegrown Yard Art Springs up in Watertown, MA

April 1, 2023

https://ptatlarge.typepad.com/ptatlarge/2023/04/homegrown-yard-art-springs-up-in-watertown-ma.html

A bunch of my neighbors have a playful quirky sense of humor that pops up every April. Like daffodils they are instant mood enhancers.

If you couldn’t travel to San Capistrano to witness the arrival of the swallows in March, you can drive around Watertown, MA to witness yard art displays that nest in yards all over town every April.

The idea of YARD ART, one of the few upsides after COVID-19 shut the country down in 2020. It gave a bunch of my neighbors an idea to allay anxiety about the scary pandemic.

YARD ART invited Watertoonians to take part in a town wide art project that could be done safely and energize our sense of community - a brilliant idea by which we could get in touch with our inner kindergartener or Picasso and put it on display.

Subject matter wide open. “It can be an assemblage, a sculpture, an art project, a lighting arrangement—let your imagination run free! Installations will be on display the entire month of April.”

The idea took off like an untethered helium balloon…and lifted spirits right along with it. 

After a year of isolation, vaccinations, boosters, washing everything down with antiseptic wipes every time I masked up to go to the market, I was more worn down than I realized. I didn’t sign up to make YARD ART. No matter. When I drove around, I felt a tribal sense of community and was tickled by the kooky displays. Whether intentional or not, the project was an affirmative mental health initiative.

Oh boy. The neighbors ran with it. See photos below.

Yard Art participants are masters of scale. One display a few blocks from my home hangs all the way down the two floors of the house, indolently fluttering with the breeze that comes late in the morning.

Another is so small that I’d have driven right by it if the YARD ART sign hadn’t been planted next to it.

https://ptatlarge.typepad.com/ptatlarge/2023/04/homegrown-yard-art-springs-up-in-watertown-ma.html

Photos by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.

Comments

[Sharon Bauer]

I tried to leave a comment, but it wouldn’t accept my name & email — suggestions?

[Paul A Tamburello, Jr aka pt at large]

Sharon,
Thank you for replying. I sent a link to the story in the comment box under the story. Frustrating, apologies to all.

[Eileen Ryan]

Thank you, Paul. Nice article and photos. If you haven't made it to 15 Bay Street, check it out. Leslie Evans and her neighbors have done an amazing job advocating for trees. One free redbud sapling will be given away each Friday to those who identify the leaf shape of the non-native tree leaf. Be prepared to write a Haiku to a Norway Maple Street tree as well. Spruce Street has 6 Yard Art displays and is worth the walk.

Enjoy Yard Art and Spring!

Eileen

[Sarah Bansen]

Wow, thanks, Eileen, for all of this info and "buzz" about Yard Art! Thanks for sharing your article, Paul!

Loving our sweet neighborhood,
Sarah

[Paul A Tamburello, Jr aka pt at large]

We were a welcoming neighborhood before the pandemic. YARDART was the perfect salve that lifted our spirits during an unprecedented period in 2020. Credit to the organizers and to Sam Falkoff for setting up the neighborhood list serve that has kept us connected for years.

[Barbara Ruskin]

Thank you Paul for a wonderful blog; and Eileen for the suggestions of where to head in this beautiful weather. Stop by my house (I’m on my way to laminate the sign that goes with the hot air balloons—Up, Up, & Away: Watertown Human Rights Commission --which is in Council Committee). I had hoped to get them higher into a tree, but this will have to do now. Thanks Dan for volunteering to help. Enjoy.
There is a YardArt launch party at The Mosesian Arts Center tonight, Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 with snacks, more photos, and door prizes. All are welcome to meet YardArtists and get ideas for next year, or to put up for the last weeks in April.
Stay well,
Barbara

[Sharon Bauer]

We do have a great neighborhood, and your enthusiasm for our creative efforts takes it to a new level. Thank you, Paul!

[Paul A Tamburello, Jr aka pt at large]

Thank you, Sharon
In a world in which bad news swamps good news, Watertown's Yard Art initiative is refreshing and reinvigorating. A tour around our neighborhood to witness it confirmed it.

[Paul A Tamburello, Jr aka pt at large]

Thank you, Barbara, sorry that I missed your aptly titled installation and the Arts Center event

[Paul A Tamburello, Jr aka pt at large]

Thank you, Sharon.
In a world in which bad news swamps good news, Watertown's Yard Art initiative is refreshing, reinvigorating and a boost to our collective mental health. A tour around our neighborhood to witness YARD ART confirms it.
Many thanks for your comment.

[Sharon Bauer]

No one anywhere has a more neighborly neighborhood than ours!