The city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, also known as ‘The Whaling City’ has so much to offer visitors. Historically speaking, the architecture has centuries of stories to tell. From the whaling industry and underground railroad, to it’s commercial fishing history, the waterfront blocks make up a National Historic Park. When walking around the cobblestone streets, back dropped by offshore fishing boats, it’s clear to see there is a rich history here. But, unbeknown to many, the city is also rich in modern street art and contemporary sculptures by local artists. In this post, we’ll dive into the verdant New Bedford art scene, a completely FREE form of entertainment if you’re in town.
“The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England... all these brave houses and flowery gardens came from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. One and all, they were harpooned and dragged up hither from the bottom of the sea.”
~Herman Melville, “Moby-Dick”
New Bedford has always been a city of culture, as described by Mr. Melville in his best-known work ‘Moby-Dick’. Though rich in Portuguese culture, this port city has entertained travelers from all over the world for centuries. Its seafaring residents were well traveled and returned home with stories and inspiration from ports the world over. As a result, the city has always been its own unique ‘melting pot’.
Art About Town
More recently, there has been somewhat of a take-over of the downtown area. Local and visiting artists who are leaving their own marks on the city’s landscape. From permanent murals to temporary installations, there are pieces all over town causing a buzz. Some of them are out in the open and easy to come by. Other pieces are less obvious, depending on where you find yourself. Like this Popeye mural by NYC street artist Tom Bob:
Thomas Bobrowiecki is well known for his whimsical street art in New York City. He also has several pieces around New Bedford. Local native TomBob, as he is known on the street, transforms pre-existing infrastructure into quirky murals. There are more than 10 of his works scattered around the New Bedford area, including these two nautical themed pieces:
Seasonal Installations By Locals Artists
Over the last few years the city started introducing temporary sculptures along the waterfront, near the ferry terminal on MacArthur Drive. Started in 2013, the Seaport Art Walk is a seasonal feature, running June through October. This initiative highlights New Bedford art, with a rotating annual theme. The theme for 2019 is ‘Whirlwind of Art’. Needless to say, there are always new pieces popping up around the city. So even if you’ve been before, you’re likely to see something you’ve never seen before. It’s always interesting to see what the hype will be in regards to the sculptures that start to pop up in the summer as part of the Seaport Art Walk.
‘The Missing Piece‘ by Melony Poirier “was created to compel the viewer to question what is missing in their own lives,” she says. “This question can be asked on a societal level or even on a deeper, more personal level. It’s only by identifying what is “missing” that we can work to find that missing piece.” She says the inspiration came from famous New Bedford resident and former slave Frederick Douglass and his passionate quest for freedom and equality. (Note: Since this article was published this piece has been removed from the waterfront and replaced with another sculpture as part of the annual theme rotation).
Permanent Collection
There are other pieces that have been introduced as part of the summer art walk that have taken up permanent residence along the waterfront.
‘Moby Dick‘ by Donna Dodson was a contribution to the 2015 Art Walk series. This series invited artists to submit pieces inspired by their connection to the past, present and future of New Bedford. “In celebration of Herman Melville’s novel, Moby Dick, I wanted to create a sculpture of the novel’s hero. Melville was a brilliant writer. He created the Captain of the ship who sought revenge on the whale who had harmed him, not from malice, but from some animal instinct. I created an anthropomorphic sculpture in celebration of Melville’s humanistic whale.” This piece is on long term loan to the city and still resides on the New Bedford waterfront.
Education through art
One of the harder pieces to miss along the waterfront is the ‘Habitat‘ installation by John Magnan. These large, metallic representations of an eelgrass bed reside in front of the Buzzards Bay Coalition headquarters on Front Street. “Habitat began with a request from Mark Rasmussen, President of the Coalition, that I create a sculpture in front of their building by which it would be identified,” says the artist. “As I thought about the Coalition and their mission, the importance of eelgrass to bay health came to the fore as the right symbolic artistic expression and as an awareness raising device.” John continues.
Eelgrass are an important part of the local coastal ecosystem that are disappearing as a result of nitrogen overloading from local land runoff. “I decided that the art should be multiple sculptures one would experience in-situ rather than as a single sculpture one would look at from afar. So I proposed the idea of a bunch of large abstract eelgrass plants among which visitors would walk, experiencing the grass as if they were fish in the ocean swimming between them.” says John. An idea that is well conveyed as passers-by are immerged and stare up at the tall structures. The seven structures rest on stone bases built by local masons. The ‘eelgrass’ strands are by Horacio’s Welding and Steel Metal.
It doesn’t Stop there
In addition to another piece kept in the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s conference room, called ‘Abundance’, John also has several other pieces on display around the city, but these are the only ones that are readily visible as a pedestrian. He has installed a mobile of sails, called ‘Hope’, in the lobby of Saint Luke’s Hospital, and a figurative sculpture, called ‘Inner Strength’, in the bay window of the South Coast Cancer Centers building in Fairhaven. Both buildings contain what John describes as “the best collection of contemporary New Bedford art ever assembled”.
And the list of art pieces around the city goes on! If anything, it’s clear that there’s an underlying theme tied to the city’s nautical core. Robert Wyland has even been here to leave his impression. The ‘Marine Michelangelo’, as he is also known, visited New Bedford in the early 2000s and left behind a massive mural, spanning 700 feet around a building, in true Wyland fashion.
Otherwise, there is a great collection of permanent murals around town as well. A movement by an organization called Superflat NB is working towards the beautification of New Bedford through murals. They just celebrated their one year anniversary at the end of May 2019. In addition to the Superflat NB initiative there are also murals from local artists dating back several years.
‘Superflat NB aims to foster pride and ownership of shared spaces through public art. We do this by giving local, national, and international artists a role in revitalizing the city of New Bedford while creating inclusive environments where anybody can experience great art.’
~SuperflatNB.org
Let’s Get Walking
Without further ado, we present to you our Self Guided New Bedford Art Walk! This one hour walking tour will take you on a two mile loop of beautiful Downtown New Bedford. The loop includes 16 artistic stops and starts at the parking garage, the easiest spot to find parking in town.
The first piece is a tricky one as it is only visible from the roof, so you’ll want head there. Walk to the southeast corner of the top lot and focus on the roof top of the red brick building. You’ll see two camo pattern whales, one pink and one blue. The rest of the murals and sculptures should be a little more obvious as you near each location mapped below.
New Bedford Art Self-Guided Walking Tour
Here’s what you’ll see (the starred ones are featured in the above post) :
- Rooftop Whales (Start here!)
- 54th Mass. Volunteer Regiment Mural by Jared Bader
- Historical Artists of New Bedford Mural by Artworks! Teen Mural Project
- Blue Man Holding Heart by unknown
- We Heart NB by Artworks! Teen Mural Project (plus misc. pieces)
- ‘Sea Flower’ by James Surls
- Whaleman Statue by Bela Lyon Pratt
- Lewis Temple Statue by James C. Toatley
- Frederick Douglas Labor History Mural
- Spicy Lime Kids by TomBob
- Brian Wilson by TomBob
- Hallway Lights (down the hall between Green Bean and Travesia and continue into the courtyard)
- Love*/The Courtyard/Balloon*/Ship by various
- COVID-19 Eye Mural by Ryan McFee
- Paradise McFee & Woodzart*
- Pack Man Ghost by TomBob
- Whales and Bear by Mark “Maki” Carvalho
- Kit Kat Boy by TomBob
- Moby Dick by Donna Dodson*
- Mr. & Mrs. Octopus by TomBob
- ‘Fishermen’s Monument’ by Erik Durant
- Crab by TomBob
- ‘Shackles Broken – Free at Last’ by Eric Lintala
- ‘I am the walrus, I am the hunter’ by Eric Lintala
- ‘Habitat’ by John Magnan*
- Toothbrush by TomBob
- Farewell Whale Tail by Cabot Lyford
- The Giant Squid by Erik Durant
Visiting New Bedford
As you can see, there is plenty more to the city than it’s whaling and fishing history, though it serves as the inspiration for much of its modern ways. If you find yourself in the area, definitely make the National Parks Service at 33 William Street your first stop. They offer free historical walking tours daily in the summer season which highlight the local Black History as well. From there, be sure to venture off on your own to take in some local New Bedford art. And stop in a restaurant or two along the way for a local brew and grub. Looking to spend the night? Start here.
Have you ever been to New Bedford, Massachusetts? What was your favourite part?
There is too much amazing art in New Bedford! I’ll save this post for later (This place is in my bucket list now)
Yay! We are always happy to inspire new bucket list items 🙂 Happy travels Lina!
I don’t think I ever realized how much art is in New England! I’m surprised – in a good way! These art installations are so cool – I love street art so much!
We were also shocked Stephanie. Definitely make it a point to check them out if you find yourself along the south shore 😉
I love visiting cities that have great art. Nashville has paintings all over downtown and I’m always finding more every time we go. My favorite one so far is of a pit bull, that I happily instagrammed. I also love going to Berea,KY for all of their art as well. They are known near the college for their art and the whole city has hand statues.
Ooooo!! We’d love to get to Nashville someday! Good to know they have a lot to see. Isn’t it the best when you find new pieces to enjoy?! Will have to add Berea, KY to our list as well. Thanks Tabitha!
Wow, it’s so neat how much art is there! I would love to just walk around with my camera.
And we didn’t even include all of them! It’s a great way to spend an afternoon for sure. Happy travels Becky!
Good to learn about the whaling history in New Bedford and I like how the whale picture is incorporated in the graffiti artwork too. Really an artistic town with lots of sculptures and beautiful walls.
Yes Kumamonjeng! The artists really value the history of the city. It’s very clear in their interpretations.
Many moons ago I worked at an art gallery here in LA. Best job ever.
The art walks of course were my fave and this one seems amazing.
That sounds like a really cool job Naza! Hopefully you get to experience the one we’ve highlighted here some day.
This is interesting and I missed it when I visited Bedford! I like the educational approach. This is really great artwork on these murals. I would need to return!
Definitely do Myrah! It is a very unique way to see a city.
I love art walks and this one in New Bedford in Massachusetts looks quite interesting with such nice creative works on display.
It is definitely worth checking out if you find yourself in this neck of the woods Kaylan!
this looks like so much fun! i’d love to go take pictures
Yes Jasmine! It is the perfect opportunity for much picture taking. Happy snapping!
Such a dun and great experience you have seen these stunning artworks. they are really amazing.
Thanks Alexandra!
So much art work, So pretty!
They are all really great in their own way. Thanks for dropping in Jerrieal.
Wow! Never knew that New Bedford had those beautiful paintings! I LOVE the whales!
Aren’t they great Kim?! Definitely stop in and check them out if you can. There are whales ALL over this city. It was once the whaling capital of the world!
This would be a fun walk with kiddos. I think the habitat piece is my favorite. Sounds like a great time.
Yes Crystal! The habitat piece is very unique and beautiful. The kids would definitely enjoy all the different art pieces!
We’ve never been but would love to! I love the Popeye art!
Hi Jennifer, it is a great way to spend an afternoon! Tom Bob’s art work is really great. Happy travels!
Those are all beautiful pieces, I can’t just pick one. If I ever get a chance to go up to MA I’ll keep this in mind.
And there are more about than we covered in our post! Definitely worth the trip Luci. Happy travels!
Some beautiful artwork to see, I love exploring new places and finding interesting things to photograph
Hi Kara, thanks for dropping by! We love looking for new pieces when we travel. Hope to share more soon!
I have this thing for wall murals!! I love visiting the states because there is always so much graffiti art to see, every corner you turn. We’ve just been to Ottawa, canada and there was so much there too. We don’t really have so much here in the UK, not proper street art anyway. Thanks for sharing x
Hi Lara, same here! Good to know that Ottawa has some good street art. We are from southern Ontario and will have to get up there to check it out. We bet there are some hidden gems in the UK too 😉
So whimsical and quirky! I’ll have to try the self guided tour if I go 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
You bet Jamila! Hope you get a chance to check it out. Happy traveling!!
I love street art so much. Will definitely put New Bedford on my travel bucket list so that can see all this amazing art in person!
It adds a whole new life to so many buildings doesn’t it? Glad to have inspired an item on your bucket list 🙂 Safe travels!
Thanks for the shout out to Moby Dick!
You are most welcome! Thank you for the incredible contribution to downtown New Bedford’s waterfront landscape! Looking forward to your next piece 🙂
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