box 1: we are queer and we’ve always been here

ELECTRIFY AMHERST! The Electrical Box Makeover Project

This project was designed to build upon the presence of public art in downtown Amherst and the Amherst Center Cultural District by inviting local artists to create unique and colorful paintings on designated utility boxes.

Current Chair of the Public Art Commission Shoshona King said that the idea for the project first came from Amy Crawley, who served on the Public Art Commission for six years (from 2015-2021) and now serves on the Historical Commission. King explained that one of the PAC’s central goals for the project was to bring more public art downtown. “[We wanted] something that people can really see and just make people happy,” shared King. The painting activity was on Sept. 14, and took eight hours to wrap up. The public was invited to stop by anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to see the artists perform live. “The event was promoted as an exhibition where you could walk through and watch these local artists paint the electrical boxes. [In that way,] it acted as a happening and an installation piece at the same time,” added King.

2019 Box Artist: Lauren Anderson

A public art project funded by Amherst Cultural Council

More boxes have been created since