THE ART WALK PROJECT

One of the busiest places in Boston is the Downtown area. A nexus of culture, commerce and creativity it is home to the historic center of the city, some of our most important public parks, civic buildings, and some of the nations most important historic sites and structures.

From the bustling crowded streets of Downtown Crossing to the poetic, tree lined paths of the Public Garden this Art Walk focuses on four main areas; Downtown Crossing, the Public Garden (est. 1837) , Boston Common (est. 1634) , and City Hall Plaza. With a focus on sculptures, architecture and wall art this art walk is a journey through time taking us on a creative adventure that doesn’t just talk about Boston’s past, present and future through works of public art, but it also tells us about the longstanding and ongoing commitment of the city’s inhabitants, and leaders to establish and maintain public art as a cultural investment for our collective well being and futures.

Spanning just over 3 miles and with 57 different pieces identified, this is an ambitious art walk. If you want to follow the suggested path, this tour starts at Park Street on Boston Common then you walk towards the Public Garden, loop back around and head into Downtown Crossing where you will then meander towards City Hall Plaza and finally Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. This is a small geographic area with a lot of Subway stops and a lot of tiny streets, which I know can be confusing. I highly recommend if you are not familiar, or comfortable with, the subway you start at Park Street and go from there. I also recommend looking at a MBTA map and/or using a map app if you feel the need.

Without question weekends are the busiest time to visit, during long weekends and holidays it’s even busier, so please be patient and prudent, as you travel and art walk. In a similar vein as the seasons change temperatures shift quickly in both directions so please plan for that as you head out and dress accordingly.

Thank you so much for your continued interest and support and as always, live creatively and travel safely!

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 so 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.  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 site is subject to copyright including written copy, images, graphics and maps.

ART WALK STATS

Map Updated on August 30, 2023

Total Distance: 3 miles / 4.8 kilometers

(The Public Garden and Boston Common portion is about 2 miles)

Estimated Time: 2 hours (depending on how fast you want to go)

Neighborhood: Public Garden/Boston Commons/Downtown Crossing/City Hall/Faneuil Hall

Closest Subway: 

Park Street – Red Line/Green Line

Boylston Street – Green Line

Arlington – Green Line

State – Orange Line/Blue Line

Government Center – Green Line/Blue Line

Haymarket – Orange Line/Blue Line

Food Options: This Art Walk covered a lot of area and you will wander past a lot of places to score some delicious food. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for I recommend browsing Eater Boston for some ideas.

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ART WORK LIST

Instagram handles and websites included where available

1. Brewer Fountain by Mathurin Moreau and Alexandre Lambert. Originally installed in Boston Common in 1868, relocated and reinstalled in 1917.
2. “Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial” created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, installed in 1897 restored in 2021 (in front of State House)
3. Entryway mosaic circle and bench wall mosaics by Lili Anne and Marvin Rosenberg, installed in 2002 (Mosaics form a ring around the park, and are installed just beneath the built in benches.)
4. “Frog Mosaic Panels” by Marc Cooper, installed in 2002.  Around entry way, exterior. There are multiple.
5. “Frogs in Common” by David Phillips installed in 2002 (series of six playful frog sculptures installed around the playground and next to the Frog Pond ) 
6. “Soldiers and Sailors Monument” designed by Martin Milmore, dedicated in 1877 (large sculptural obelisk on top of hill)
7. Boston Founded 1630 Monument, 1930 John Francis Paramino and Charles Coolidge
8. “Make Way For Ducklings” by Nancy Schon. Installed in the Public Garden in 1987
9. “Ether Monument” A.k.a. “The Good Samaritan” created by John Quincy Adams Ward in 1867, restored in 2006. Public Garden  
10. “George Robert White Memorial” fountain, AKA “The Angel” created by Daniel Chester French in 1924, restored in 2016 
11. “Small Child” by Mary E Moore, 1929
12. “George Washington Statue” by Thomas Bell erected in 1869 
13. “Boy and Bird” by Baskha Paeff, 1934
14. Public Garden Bridge designed by Clemens Herschel and William G Preston in 1867.
15. “Japanese Lantern” created by Unknown in 1587, Installed in Public Garden in 1904
16. “Statue of Charles Sumner” by Thomas Ball erected in The Public Garden in 1878
17. “Statuę of Tadeusz Kosciuszko” by Mrs. T. A. R. Kitson. Erected in The Public Garden in 1927 
18. “Statue of Thomas Cass” by Richard E Brooks.  Erected in The Public Garden in 1899
19. “Statue of Wendell Phillips” by Daniel C French.  Erected in The Public Garden in 1915
20. “Bagheeera Fountain” Created by Lilian Swann Saarinen in 1939.  Placed in the Public Garden in 1986.
21. “Statue of Edward Hale Everett” by Bela L. Pratt.  Erected in The Public Garden in 1913
22. “Triton Babies” Created by Anna Coleman, 1915.  Placed in the Public Garden in 1922
23. “Boston Massacre Monument” designed by Carl Fehmer, dedicated in 1889 (Obelisk).
24. “The Embrace” designed by Hank Willlis Thomas in collaboration with MASS Design Group
25. “Declaration of independence Memorial” by John Francis Paramino, 1925.  Restored in 1988.
26. “Industry, Religion and Learning” by Arcangelo Cascieri and Adio diBiccari.  Series of three visitor Center Sculptures on Tremont Street between Park Street and Boylston Street Stations.
27. “The Nautilus” by Donald Lipski, 2013.  (On the facade of St. Paul’s Cathedral Church on the Tremont Street side of Boston Common.) 
28. Park Street Church, 1809.  Across from Park Street Station
29. “Untitled Mayor’s Mural Crew Mural” aka “Justice Para Todos” by Mayor’s Mural Crew.  Mason Street
30. “Untitled Electrical Box” by Howie Green.  Painted with a guitar. 
31. Jordan Marsh Building (now Macy’s) original design by Perry, Shaw and Hepburn, finished in 1851.  (Modernist style)
32. Filene’s Building designed by Daniel Hudson Burnham, opened in 1911. (now Primark) (Beaux-Arts style)
33. Old South Meeting House built in 1729
34. “Irish Famine Memorial” by Robert Shore, 1998.  Collection of monuments.  Corner of School Street and Washington Street.  
35. Old Corner Book Store built in 1718
36. Old City Hall, built in 1865
37. “City Carpet” mosaic.  Boston Latin Memorial Mosaic by Lili Ann Rosenberg. School Street.  
38. Kings Chapel, 1686
39. Old State House, 1713
40. “Boston Candy Electrical Box” by Unknown
41. Ames Building. Completed in 1889. Originally built by Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge.  Renovated in 2009   
42. Bill Russel Memorial Sculpture by Ann Hirsch, 2013
43. Boston City Hall designed by Kallmann McKinnell & Knowles, 1969 ( A Brutalist Masterpiece) 
44. Mayor John F Collins Memorial by John Hamilton McCormack, 2004 
45. “Steaming Kettle,” created by Hicks & Badger, 1873.  Restored and replaced in 2016. 
46. “Thermopylae” by Dimitri Hadzi, 1969
47. “The Eyes of The Future” by Yuke Ito, 2022.  (Part 1) This is a multi-panel mural installed on the exterior corner of the north entrance to city hall.  yukeliart.com
48. “The Eyes of The Future” by Yuke Ito, 2022.  (Part 2) On the side of the City Hall Pavilion. Walk down the slope, past the playground. It will be on your left. Directly across from New England Holocaust Memorial.  yukeliart.com
49. “New England Holocaust Memorial” designed by Stanley Saitowitz, dedicated in 1995.  www.nehm.org
50. “James Michael Curley Memorial” statues, by Lillie Lloyd dedicated in 1980 (There are two pieces in this memorial. One statue is standing and one is sitting a.k.a “The Sitter”)
51. “Kevin Hagan White Memorial” sculpture, by Pablo Eduardo unveiled in 2006.  This is a long memorial with foot steps and inscriptions behind the main statue. 
52. Samuel Adams Sculpture, Anne Whitney 1880 (In front of Faneuil Hall)
53. “Wind, Wind, Wind”  by Michiko Ihara, dedicated in Wellsley 1973, rededicated in Boston 2012
54. Faneuil Hall original building completed in 1742. Original design by Jon Smibert. Has been renovated and added to many times.  
55. Quincy Market completed in 1826. Architect Alexander Parris (Greek Revival)
56. “Larry Bird Legend 33” Memorial Plaque dedicated in 1998 by Converse, INC (in front of The Black Dog, next to the Red Auerbach sculpture)   
57. “Arnold “Red” Auerbach Memorial” sculpture by Lillie Lloyd, dedicated in 1985 (In front of The Black Dog)
58. “Bill Rodgers” a.k.a. Boston Billy Memorial”, dedicated in 2000 by Rozoni Pasta and the Boston Athletic Association.

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ART WALK SIDEQUESTS!

Can you find these?

1. “Celebration of the Underground” Lilli Ann K Rosenberg
2. All six frogs on Boston Common have names. Can you figure out what they are?

PHOTO GALLERY

The Downtown 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.