Fifteen new commissions that speak to our time

Boston, MA (June 23, 2023) Now + There is pleased to announce the appointment of Pedro Alonzo as the Artistic Director for the Boston Public Art Triennial, 2025. Alonzo, a Boston-based independent curator and a specialist in creating boundary-transcending public art exhibitions internationally, will bring his distinctive vision to shaping and designing the city’s first-ever public art Triennial.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the discourse of public art in my home city," Alonzo said. "My role will be to shape the Triennial's premise, provide a thematic framework, and curate a collection of works that resonate with Boston's diverse and dynamic community. This role is even more personal to me, knowing that my family and the city I love will be part of this artistic journey." - PEDRO ALONZO

Boston’s first Public Art Triennial will be an interdisciplinary exhibition occurring every three years from May to October with 15 new public art commissions, commissioned by Alonzo and a to-be-announced curator under a cohesive theme rooted in timely issues that include relationships to each other, technology, wellness, and the environment. The goal is to spark imagination, foster inclusivity, and amplify overlooked stories in Boston’s colonial narrative through compelling and life-affirming experiences.

Alonzo, an Adjunct Curator at Dallas Contemporary, is renowned for his work in developing exhibitions that move beyond traditional museum spaces. His notable projects include Shepard Fairey's 20-year survey at the ICA Boston, “Supply and Demand,” and “Viva la Revolución: A Dialogue with the Urban Landscape” at the MCA San Diego. He also curated a series of city-wide exhibitions to engage audiences in public spaces such as Philadelphia's Open Source.

Alonzo also has a long-standing relationship with Now + There, having previously worked as a guest curator for several projects, including Oscar Tuazon's “Growth Rings,” Jose Dávila's “To Each Era Its Art. To Art, Its Freedom.” and Claudia Comte's “Five Marble Leaves” currently on view

Throughout his career, Alonzo has demonstrated a unique ability to foster collaboration between artists and experts from various fields, aiming to create compelling narratives that bridge understanding gaps. His ongoing project, “Amnesia Atómica,” commissioned by The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, is a prime example of such partnerships, reviving the issue of the nuclear threat in the public narrative.

Alonzo will work closely with a Curatorial Advisory Group to vet themes and artists. Group members include:

  • Dan Byers, John R. and Barbara Robinson Family Director, Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, Harvard University

  • Jeffrey De Blois, Associate Curator and Publications Manager, Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston

  • Jose Falconi, Professor of Arts and Human Rights, University of Connecticut Storrs and president of Cultural Agents, Inc.

  • Karin Goodfellow, Director of Public Art, City of Boston

  • Mary Jane Jacob, Director, Institute for Curatorial Research and Practice, School of Art Institute of Chicago

  • Jessica May, Vice President, Art and Exhibitions, The Trustees of Reservations, and Artistic Director, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

  • Kymberly Pinder, Ph.D., Professor of Art and History of Art, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Dean, Yale School of Art

  • Trevor Smith, Associate Director – Multisensory Experience, Curator of the Present Tense, Peabody Essex Museum

  • Lisa Tung, Executive Director, MAAM and N+T Board member

Image: Installation view of five abstracted leaves carved in marble in a wooded park, Five Marble Leaves, 2022 by Claudia Comte. Photo (c) Charles Mayer.