Cambridge Crossing Unveils Inspiring Community Mural at One of the Gateways to the Neighborhood

June 27, 2023 - DivcoWest, a national investment and development team behind the destination neighborhood and innovation hub, Cambridge Crossing (CX), announced today the unveiling of an inspirational new community art installation called Collective Ascension on the Brian P. Murphy Memorial Staircase, a gateway to the CX neighborhood. This vibrant throughway is located adjacent to Sanofi’s new research home at 450 Water Street in Boston, MA at CX and is a connector to the MBTA Community College Orange Line station. Leading this project were two talented Boston-area artists, Michael Talbot and Phoebe Warner, who were selected through a meticulous process facilitated by art_works. Collaborating with the Community Art Center (CAC), a Cambridge-based organization that empowers local youth to use their artistic voices to transform their worlds, Talbot and Warner developed the concept for the mural, incorporating the unique perspectives of the teen artists from the CAC. Their visual and written responses to community-related questions played a significant role in shaping the composition. “The hope is that the teens will be able to get a glimpse into the world of public art, and the process behind it – the idea generation, and figuring out the different elements, the tiny nuances that go into getting a cohesive design,” said Michael Talbot, co-artist of Collective Ascension. CX today is an area centered around the community, access and connectivity with multiple modes of public transportation, an abundance green space for all people to enjoy, a flourishing community of local businesses, and forward-thinking companies discovering breakthroughs for tomorrow that aim to improve people’s lives. Through two thoughtfully juxtaposed compositions, the Murphy Staircase comes alive with inspiring themes, colors, and vibrancy, adding to the neighborhood’s strong foundation of community values. “When you build, the first thing you need is a foundation. And what is the foundation of a community? The people,” said Phoebe Warner, co-artist of Collective Ascension. The hand-painted staircase mural was officially inaugurated on June 22, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. with an opening celebration for the public that included artist-led programming, providing an immersive experience for the community. “We are proud to unveil Collective Ascension, a community art mural on the Brian P. Murphy Memorial Staircase, adding to the growing public and community art at CX for everyone to enjoy and experience,” said Tina Snyder, Senior Director and Head of Marketing at DivcoWest. “Through the collaborative efforts of talented artists and our community partners, this mural is another fantastic representation of the vibrant spirit of our neighborhood. We hope this serves as another welcome point to CX and celebration of our shared values and diverse voices that make our community thrive.” DivcoWest has consistently prioritized community engagement through art. They have demonstrated this commitment through various projects, including the successful Pillars of Past, Present and Future collaboration with the Community Art Center in 2018. In addition, they have contributed to the vibrant artistic landscape with installations such as Musical Fence, a permanent sound sculpture by The Pickup Music Project, and HerStory, an impactful art installation in partnership with Artists For Humanity that celebrates the life and legacy of six Cambridge women who have made a significant impact in our community and beyond and can be experienced at The Shed at CX.