New Bedford, MA Seaport Art Walk Is a Chance to Enjoy Public Art

This year marks the 12th annual Seaport Art Walk in New Bedford, with this year's exhibits featuring the work of seven artists.

The artwork was unveiled earlier this month.

Project Manager Zane Cox and artist Brooke Mullins Doherty visited Townsquare Sunday to talk about the Art Walk and what makes it special.

Cox has served as Project Manager for two years, with the artwork selected by committee. He said this year's exhibit is entitled "Call of the Sea."

"We really wanted to create scenes that would inspire folks, and perhaps spark some change," he said.

Cox said the founder of the art walk, Jessica Bregoli-Sparling, suggested the concept of music as a great way to tie all the work together.

"It's New Bedford's continuing story viewed through the lens of music and a song," he said.

Brooke Mullins Doherty arrived in New Bedford from Oklahoma in 2005, earning a Master's Degree in Sculpture from UMass Dartmouth. She now lives in Fall River with her family.

Doherty describes herself as an artist and professor, teaching at BCC and other local schools. Her entry is entitled "Sea Shanty."

"It's loosely meant  to be a song wrapped around an octopus," she said. "All of my work is pre-abstract and imagery, I love to make references to the natural world."

Doherty said she found inspiration from a traditional sea shanty, "The Wellerman."

Other artists contributing to the Seaport Art Walk are Ed McAloon, Jessica Bregoli-Sparling, Chris Plaisted, Mandy Fraser, Mark Carvalho and Jacob "Makerjake" Ginga.

The Seaport Art Walk exhibits will be up from now through October along the New Bedford waterfront.

The Art Walk is made possible by the support of New Bedford's Arts, Culture and Tourism Fund, Bristol County Savings Bank and the New Bedford Cultural Council.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.