inPUBLIC

inPUBLIC 2021, a space for collective healing at the heart of the city

inPUBLIC 2021 was a delightful disruption! By Sunday afternoon, I could see the faces of folks walking by—people laughing, dancing—and recognizing all the colors here! We saw a lot of BIPOC being centered and that alone is a disruption to white supremacy! I found myself gravitating to the circles of folks moving and instinctively felt, ‘Why am I not dancing with y’all?’... I think that’s what [spatial justice] can feel like—being a disruption towards connection, life and spirit in public, in a way that truly centers folks pushed to the margins. I think a lot of people think about protest and rage—which is also an important means of disruption for systems that don’t center equality for all. I see our disruption as being focused on welcoming folks to be a part of seeing, experiencing, and being involved spontaneously to shape their environments.
Dzidzor Azaglo, inPUBLIC Event Producer and Boston-based artist

We overcame the Delta variant, bad weather, and even an anti-mask rally to truly transform the Downtown Crossing Steps into a space of reflection and holding space to celebrate and support BIPOC artists and communities while intentionally disrupting the norm and creating space for the miraculous. inPUBLIC was a 3-day pause and celebration of tending to each other, as we face another winter of uncertainty and possible isolation. Many thanks to the 60 artists who contributed their amazing work and to all of you who visited and were a part of the authentic exchange of joy, love and energy.

For more on the event, check out NEFA's Kamaria Carrington's Reflections from inPUBLIC.

Many thanks to our partners, the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) and the Downtown Boston BID for their on-going support and thought-partnership, and much love to the UnBound Bodies Collective that turned the steps into a magical space of collective care and spatial nourishment on Friday night, welcoming and amplifying Black and brown queer joy. Lastly, we want to give a special shout and breath of gratitude to our curation team: Dzidzor, Crystal Bi, Letta Neely and Sheila Novak who were instrumental in organizing, creating and executing the vision that allowed us to collectively tend to one another.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!

Over 60 artists submitted 2D, 3D, audio and video pieces! Those who attended inPUBLIC were able to listen, witness, reflect and add to the installation!

Tunes provided by DJ Bruno.

A variety of artists and folks contributed to the Voicemail Project with Crystal Bi.

And ALL OF YOU contributed to a successful inPUBLIC 2021!

See you next year!!

Check out our previous inPUBLIC Festival 2019.