Natick Center Cultural District and the Public Art Committee seek proposals for Traffic Calming Public Art projects at the intersection of Rt. 27 and Rt. 135 for $500–$1,200 stipends. The application deadline is Jan. 15, 2021, and projects may include street paintings and murals that are bold and bright in design while still being respectful of the place.
Any artist—amateur, professional, or art and educational institutions—willing to meet the requirements of the call for artists can apply to paint a traffic calming section. Participants from art educational institutions may consist of students, faculty, and alumni.
Proposals should be positive, original and colorful and may reflect the immediate environment; the character or culture of the Town of Natick; the history of the area; community pride; creativity; or other themes.
A jury will make selection recommendations, and final approval will be made by the Public Art Committee and Natick’s Select Board.
Why Natick is excited about traffic calming
Natick has installed flexible white poles around the Rte. 27/Rte. 135 intersection in Natick Center as part of an experiment in traffic calming supported by a $25K state Shared Streets & Spaces grant that also enabled Natick to put in place temporary outdoor dining lanes in town.
Traffic calming is an urban design strategy that aims to slow down or reduce car traffic to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. It is founded on the idea that streets are a key element of the public realm and should be designed to create a sense of place for people to work alongside cars, but not be dominated by them.
Great idea, but extend this to Johnson School, a real raceway.