About the author
I lived in Cambridge, MA, during the Central Artery Tunnel Project, affectionately known as the Big Dig. The idea of dismantling the overhead expressway and rebuilding it underground captivated me. I followed the developments, taking tours of the Big Dig and the Zakim Bridge, and finally, Spectacle Island, which opened to the public in 2006. The ingenuity and collaboration behind this enormous project and developing a solution for the island dump polluting Boston Harbor, a huge environmental disaster, was magnificent. The transformation of Spectacle Island is a fascinating story. The results of the Big Dig project are astonishing. Witnessing the execution of the massive project as it morphed over the years and the results of the changing landscape and a healthier city inspired me to write this story. Specs of Spectacle Island: A story of an island from trash to treasure tells the fascinating story of a lively island turned into an environmentally destructive land and how it was restored and became one of the Boston Harbor Islands state and national parks.
I am an artist, designer, writer, and advocate for reuse and repurpose. I currently reside in Salisbury Beach, enjoying the natural beauty of the North Shore. Living near the ocean, I draw inspiration from its restorative powers to fuel my creative pursuits.
Specs of Spectacle Island: A story of an island from trash to treasure, 2021.
Short story: "My Dog Danced," Dog Tales: an unleashed collection of true stories, 2023.
Public art installations 2020-2024:
"Drift Away"
Driftwood sculpture, 2020
"Smile"
Painted utility box, 2022
"Follow the Fish," 2024
"The Colors of Quirky," 2023
Inspired by the artist Christo, the temporary fabric installation is on the railing of a vacant building in Salisbury Beach Center. “The Colors of Quirky” interacts with a long-neglected building in transition. The vibrant fabric wrapping the deteriorating railing sways with the ocean breeze, producing the perceived activity at The Upper Deck in the past while enhancing the existing landscape and the public experience. It reflects our society and the history of Salisbury Beach, immersing the public in the inevitable changes from the past into the present day and the conceivable future.
Top photo after, bottom photo before
Section of the completed mural.
“Follow the Fish,” is a vibrant 14 by 48-foot mural that revitalizes the passageway and enhances the sights in the Beach Center with a fun and entertaining mural for everyone to enjoy, especially children and families, as they journey down the walkway to the beach, concerts and other festivities in the center. Painted with funky fish and waves of color, it's topped off with a bright yellow fishing net, adding another dimension and obscuring the wires running along the building. The sidewalk is a kaleidoscope of color with blue and green arrows and “follow the fish” painted along the way. This project was funded by the Salisbury Cultural Council with the Mass Cultural Council and the Essex County Community Foundation Creative County.
Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay, Theme: THREAD, 2024
A PLACE IN TIME
Threads: an informal and old-fashioned American term for clothing. A slang word for clothes.
Clothing, with its unique ability to evoke memories and reflect our sentiments, can hold a special place in our lives. We form emotional connections with our garments, often holding on to them well past their time. They remind us of our history, and we reminisce about the place in time. Reflecting on these items can bring us comfort and joy.
What clothing do you have tucked away in a drawer or the back of your closet, holding on to a precious memory of a significant place in time?
