Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - Plymouth
Date: May 2021
Location: Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - Plymouth, MA
Team: C.A.C., MG, Kamil Peters Art, Plymouth Center for the Arts
Technical Specs: 18 honeycombs on Paper, Metal & Resin 18’ x 5’
The Honeycombs of #InThisTogether take shape at BID -Plymouth
Summary
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in support of the medical personnel who selflessly and tirelessly worked to keep the community safe, the Community Art Collaborative led a team of professional artists, designers, and front line health care workers to co-create a 20’ sculpture that embodied a cathartic expression towards community healing. This project was a natural extension of the honeycomb-inspired theme that was central to the C.A.C.s #InThisTogether campaign. The sculpture was installed at the entrance to the hospital to be enjoyed by patients and practitioners alike.
Our Programming
The C.A.C. began by connecting with the Plymouth Bay Cultural District, Town Planner and Plymouth Center for the Arts to establish a collective vision for the project. Our co-founder Meclina Gomes, a professional artist, began by hosting weekly zoom meetings with over 20 professional artist volunteers over a 4-5 week period to share ideas and discuss prototypes for the sculpture.
Over the next several weeks, professional artists, medical workers, and students all created and submitted their art on honeycomb shaped paper. These individual honeycombs were then curated and assembled into a larger piece of art. The final design was fabricated in metal by sculptor Kamil Peters.
Because of the desire to honor and service the medical community, the team worked with the Community Development and Marketing team at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - Plymouth to find an ideal location for the sculpture. Ultimately a highly visible location was selected and the finished piece was celebrated by various members of the community including but not limited to multiple medical professionals, artists, and the President of the hospital.
Community Need
The founders of the CAC recognized a need within their local community to increase a sense of common experience and promote emotional healing through collective expression. Our inaugural program was designed as both a cathartic stress relieving activity for the community in addition to serving as an opportunity to thank healthcare workers for their efforts during the pandemic. Well aware of the acute challenges created by the global healthcare crisis, the leaders of the Community Art Collaborative chose to focus on schools, the medical community, and professional artists under the mantra “In This Together.”
Impact
The impact from this project is illustrated in the diversity of artist contributors to the final product. The prominent placement of the artwork at the hospital showcases the unifying efforts to countless patients and medical professionals.
Additional detail and engagement is provided through the use of Pixelstix, a platform that uses adds richness to the experience of the art by sharing digital content.
“The last two years have been an emotional and physical marathon for healthcare workers. This art installation reminds us that we are a place of hope and healing. It shows that our community is behind us, and we are not alone.”
“We are so appreciative of this opportunity for our students to take part in this very special art installation. Community Art Collaborative, the Plymouth Bay Cultural District, South Shore Community Partners in Prevention, and the Town of Plymouth have always been very supportive of the Plymouth Public School and our students. I am so proud of our students and appreciate the support our staff and this community continue to provide them.”
