Public Art on Display at New Bedford Seaport Art Walk

The New Bedford Seaport Art Walk kicks off this week in the Whaling City and will continue until the end of October.

This year, nine pieces of public art will be featured, as part of a 10th-anniversary celebration, including a return engagement of the Seagull Cinderella, a piece that created quite a stir when it first appeared in 2016

The founder of the Art Walk, Jessica Bregoli, and artist Eric Lintala, a retired UMass Dartmouth art instructor, joined Townsquare Sunday this week to discuss the 10th anniversary of the Art Walk and its place in public art.

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"It first started with just UMass Dartmouth student artwork, then faculty and alumni joined in, and out-of-state artists have contributed, too," Bregoli said.

Bregoli said Seagull Cinderella, created by artist Donna Dodson, is returning this year with a different look. She is wearing a new dress this time around, and will join eight other works of art for people to enjoy along the waterfront.

Courtesy Tori Grasela

Bregoli's creation this year is a bouquet of flowers made of steel to honor Emily Johns, a local woman who encouraged Bregoli to embrace art as a young girl.

Eric Lintala's contribution is a sculpture entitled "Memories Carried On A Wing: Homage To The Wampanoag Nation."

He believes feedback from the public is important to artists.

"A lot of times the artwork may deal with what's going on in the world today, whether it's environmental or social issues, so it's an important way to communicate with people in a visual way," he said.

Public art might make you laugh, it could also make you cry, or you could have no reaction at all. Hopefully, you'll find something to enjoy at the New Bedford Seaport Art Walk.

The complete interview with Jessica Bregoli and Eric Lintala can be heard here:

Townsquare Sunday is a community affairs program airing Sundays at 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. on WBSM.

The program highlights individuals and organizations seeking to make the SouthCoast a better place to live and work.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please e-mail the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.

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