About AIPW
Public art has the power to energize our public spaces, arouse our thinking, and transform the places where we live, work, study, and play into welcoming spaces that invite pause and interaction.
Art in the Park debuted in 2008 with a Worcester Telegram & Gazette headline “Elm Park Transformed to an Outdoor Gallery”. The exhibition, a brainstorm of then Worcester Cultural Commission Chair, Gloria D. Hall, launched as a council originated grant project. It was founded to present public art to a broad community, to promote the works of artists, enhance outdoor spaces, enrich lives and create visibility for the greater Worcester area.
With the support of City of Worcester’s Parks Department, local foundations, and individuals Art in the Park, Worcester has offered thousands exposure to and experiences with public art. Through our community collaboration program, Art in the Park in the Community, we connect individuals at public and private organizations with public art. At public and private school students have interacted with public artists and some have created public art for exhibition. The exhibition has received state-wide recognition from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Gateway Cities.
Elm Park
Elm Park, Worcester, Massachusetts was purchased in 1854 using public funds. The park is recognized as one of the first purchases of land for a public park in the U.S. and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park contains designs by the Olmsted firm dating back to 1909 through the 1940s, during the period of work by John Charles Olmsted, Fredrick Law Olmsted Jr., and other members of the Olmsted Brothers firm.
Art in the Park, Worcester 2019 Committee
Claire Forgues
Cyrus D. Lipsitt
David Wackell, Collaborative Partner @ Anna Maria College
Dawn Johnson
Deborah McNamara
Donna Rudek
Joseph Ray
Lynn Simmons
Nancy McGrath
Phil Marshall
Gloria D. Hall, Project Administrator
