New Boston Tradition Lights Up Contemporary Public Art Scene

A person with long hair tied in a bun carefully draws or carves on a large wooden object at MassArt, holding paper in one hand and a pencil or tool in the other. The image is in black and white.

Portrait of Nicholas Galanin by Raven's Tale Studio. Photo courtesy of the artist and Peter Blum Gallery, New York.

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A robotic arm beats a suspended drum. Handsewn pennants waving in the wind. These are just some of the many innovative artistic exhibitions that will be on display as part of the Boston Public Art Triennial from May 22 to October 31, 2025.

The city’s first-of-its kind celebration of dynamic, free public art experiences, the Triennial asks visitors to consider what we share, how we listen, and what we build together. We are proud to announce that a quarter of the featured Triennial artists have an affiliation with Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), including Curator Tess Lukey, BFA ‘16.

As part of the Triennial, Nicholas Galanin, an Alaska-based Tlingít and Unangax̂ artist, will have two artwork installations on display. One is a statue at Evans Way Park entitled, I think it goes like this (pick yourself up), and another is a commissioned solo exhibition at MassArt Art Museum (MAAM), the only museum partner to commission additional work by a Triennial Artist.

Nicholas’ Aáni yéi xat duwasáakw (I am called Land) is a kinetic sculpture and video installation, inviting viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of land, culture, and humanity. At the heart of the exhibition is a large-scale, suspended Tlingít box drum, an integral object in ceremonial traditions. The drum is activated by a robotic arm that beats in rhythm with a human heart, filling the darkened space with sound and vibration. Silent video projections of ocean waves envelop the gallery walls, evoking the land’s relationship to the sea.

Abstract underwater scene with swirling, dark blue water and floating particles or bubbles, this contemporary vision evokes movement and depth in a mysterious, murky environment—perfect inspiration for public art in New Boston.

Video still from Nicholas Galanin’s exhibition Aáni yéi xat duwasáakw (I am called Land), Mixed media, 2025, on display at the MassArt Art Museum May 22 to November 30, 2025. Featuring a new kinetic sculpture and video installation, the presentation invites viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of land, culture, and humanity.

A stylized indigenous art depiction of a fetus in black and red, surrounded by a red circle, is painted on a wooden background. Bold, flowing lines evoke Pacific Northwest Coast art with influences from Contemporary Public Art.

Detail of a kinetic sculpture by Nicholas Galanin, Aáni yéi xat duwasáakw (I am called Land), Mixed media, 2025.

Over at the Lot Lab, a free, outdoor contemporary art space, in Charlestown, Triennial Accelerator Andy Li, BFA ‘12 and Studio Foundation Program Area Chair Evelyn Rydz are engaging visitors in public art experiences tied to community care.

Today Is The Day, a playful installation from Andy, captures the importance of spreading positivity through hand-sewn pennants with motivational phrases. When asked about his inspiration, Andy shared “I want people to see themselves and others celebrating their accomplishments in a ceremony. I want people to embrace themselves in the moment and honor each other.”

Evelyn’s project about how caring for local water bodies can be an entry point to community care. Her installation focuses on the industrial histories of the Mystic and the Charles Rivers in Massachusetts and the conversations she had with local watershed experts on the current and ongoing threats facing those bodies of water.

Evelyn said, “I hope [my Triennial project] and its related public programming will offer moments of pause and reflection on what we choose to protect, sustain, and cultivate for future generations.” Read her full Triennial interview.

Andy Li, The Garden, marine flag nylon, polyester embroidery thread, and brass grommets. See Andy Li’s Triennial Accelerator project at the Lot Lab Celebration on Saturday, May 24, 2—4pm.

A long wooden table with black chairs features a cracked concrete center, where green plants grow through the gaps, creating a blend of nature and modern design inspired by contemporary public art.

Evelyn Rydz, A La Mesa, Photo: Mel Taing

Additional projects and featured events will include 2020 Triennial Accelerator Artist and Art Education faculty member Gabriel Sosa, and 2018 Triennial Accelerator Artist and Illustration faculty member Stephen Hamilton, BFA ’09.

A new Boston tradition, the Triennial will run every three years from May to October. To learn more about the Boston Public Art Triennial, visit www.thetriennial.org.

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