Inaugurated in 2015, I was the curator and project manager for the Arlington Public Art Youth Banner Initiative. This program invites Arlington Teens to make art that is then digitized, printed, and hung as public banners along Massachusetts Avenue. It aims to promote and encourage development in the visual arts and foster a sense of community through public art.
The first year, the exhibition theme was Resplendent Nature, and it was on view April and May 2016. A total of 30 artworks were selected by a jury from over 90 submissions. The resulting banners were displayed in Arlington Town Center, Arlington Heights, and East Arlington. A parallel exhibition was also held in Arlington Town Hall where the all the original art submissions were displayed. The theme in 2017 was Compassionate Community, and in 2018, Water! Each year, the banners are recycled into trendy, functional bicycle bags.
The Banners made possible by the Gracie James Foundation.
Martina Tanga 