“In Plain Sight”
Centre Street Sightings
Content and images by: Caressa Losier
Jamaica Plain murals are excellent city landmarks that also honor the art, culture and beliefs of many indigenous groups who are a part of the community. Matrilineal by nature, a large majority of the murals in Massachusetts’ Jamaica Plain neighborhood depict a strong female figure. Taino, Huchitol and several other tribal art has made an artistic impact on everyday locations in the city, like the local burrito store or closest hair salon.
Take a walk down Centre Street and most of the murals you’ll see were created by the Mayor’s Mural Crew – an arts program that gives hundreds of Boston youth the opportunity to create public art that beautifies the city. Other Jamaica Plain murals were developed by artists simply drawn to the area’s artistic development, or artists who have traveled miles to share a piece of their own culture with the city.
Beauty Masters Salon Mural
Day and Night Mural
Vasalto’s Mural
More, More, More
Tenango Mural
When the building owner requested a mural with a Mexican motif, Mayor’s Mural Crew created “Tenango” – a vibrant Jamaica Plain mural bursting with culture and marked by a colorful rooster. A “tenango”, is a traditional style of embroidering cloth. It originates from the Tenango de doria section of Hidalgo, Mexico. The women of Hidalgo usually hang these colorful textiles up on display after creating them.
Geometric JP Mural
Neil’ika Mural
This mural is on the side of Purple Cactus, a popular burrito bar in Jamaica Plain, MA, It has roots that can be traced back to the indigenous Huichol tribe in Mexico. Neil’ika is a deep purple mural with other exuberant colors that was heavily inspired by a Huichol tradition, which typically crafts these with yarn. Like Neil’ika, several other murals of Jamaica Plain share deep-rooted indigenous pre-Columbian origins.
Misc Mass Mural
Pimentel Market Mural
Annual Lantern Parade Mural
Jamaica Plain murals like the Annual Lantern Parade mural on Centre Street celebrate the city’s unique traditions. Every year during one autumn night in October, residents come together for the Annual Jamaica Plain Lantern Parade – inspired by the Dutch tradition of Sint-Maarten or St. Martin’s Day. In the Netherlands and in the mural painted by Mayor’s Mural Crew, sparkling lanterns are lighting the way.
Eliot Street Mural
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