Newton Community Pride (NCP) is proud to announce the four winners of the Celebrate Newton Banners design competition, a public art initiative designed to enliven and brighten our city, inspire civic pride, and introduce art to more public spaces.
Celebrate Newton Banners involves the installation, starting on March 8, 2023, of approximately 130 light pole banners decorated with designs celebrating the culture, history, diversity, values, and beauty of the City of Newton. The banners will be installed on major streets and some commercial areas.
The designs on the banners were created by artists Leah Kolidas, Adam Proia, Sarah Tomkins, and Sage Widder, who were selected by a jury of community leaders. Each of the banners also includes the words “Celebrate Newton” in the eight most common languages spoken in Newton (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Russian, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, and Italian).
The Celebrate Newton Banners initiative is presented in partnership with the City of Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture Department. Village Bank is the presenting sponsor. To learn more about the artists and see digital images of the banners, please go to www.newtoncommunitypride.org.
“Newton Community Pride is thrilled to once again to bring public art to Newton and to celebrate our remarkable community through the creation of these vibrant, creative, and colorful banners,” stated Meryl Kessler, Public Art Committee Chair of Newton Community Pride.
“Newton Community Pride is grateful for the City of Newton’s partnership on this project,” stated Gloria Gavris, Chair of the Board of Directors of NCP. “The city’s embrace and understanding of public art is important to the vibrancy of our community,” added Gavris.
The Celebrate Newton Banners Selection Committee included: John De Vito, NCP Board Member and Executive Director, the NPD Group; Hattie Kerwin Derrick, Director of Community Engagement & Inclusion, City of Newton; Paula Gannon, Director, Newton Cultural Development; Meryl Kessler, NCP Board Member and Chair, Celebrate Newton; Barbara Lietzke, Vice President, Newton Cultural Alliance; Renande Loayza, NCP Board Member and Senior Academic Advisor, Bentley University; Karen Masterson, Co-owner, Johnny’s Luncheonette; Ellen Meyers, Programs and Communications Director, Newton Free Library; Emily O’Neil, NCP Board Member and Executive Director, New Art Center; Susan Paley, Vice President of Community Relations, Village Bank; Dinny Starr, NCP Vice Chair and stained glass artist; Krysia Villon, NCP Board Member and Chef Owner, Chiquis’s Kitchen; and Randall Yee, NCP Board Member and Executive Legal Recruiter, LHH.
