Pynchon Plaza - then & now

“The SPark! project is a remarkable opportunity to create a museum without walls that builds on the hopes and vision of our community in the heart of downtown Springfield ,” said Kay Simpson, President and CEO of the Springfield Museums. “Pynchon Park will become more than just an easy way to walk from downtown to the Springfield Museums, the Central Library, and the Armory,” Simpson said. “It will become a community space for solace and conversation surrounded by intriguing art. We feel privileged to play a role in creating an Art Park that showcases the talents of artists from Springfield and beyond.”

“ Empowering the arts and cultural community is paramount to the strength and resilience of our community, “ said Karen Finn, Executive Director for the Springfield Cultural Partnership. “In addition to the public art installations, Pynchon Plaza will be a new venue for Springfield artists and organizations to use for programming and other activities. Receiving the NEA Our Town grant amplifies the SCP’s goal of connecting artists, institutions, and audiences to celebrate Springfield’s creativity.”

• LOCATION

  • Pynchon Park is an award winning split-level public park located between 75 and 115 Dwight Street, and 10 and 70 Chestnut Street in Springfield, MA.

• HISTORY:

  • The original park was completed in 1977. The original design featured a concrete courtyard, abstract sculpture, fountain, elevator and stairs aimed at providing a gateway between the Springfield Museums and downtown Springfield, MA.

  • More recently in summer 2020, Pynchon Plaza was redesigned as an accessible civic space. Pynchon Plaza formally reopened on November 19, 2020.

• FUNDING:

  • The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) “Our Town” grant was a catalyst for the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) support. The city has been incredibly supportive of this project and the vibrancy being brought to Pynchon Plaza, which brings so much connectivity to our downtown.

• SELECTED ARTISTS:

  • Of the 10 participating artists, 6 (60%) identify as Women, 7 (70%) are BIPOC, 2 (20%) are LGBTQIA+ and 2 (20%) identify as having a disability.

• PRIORITY APPLICANTS:

  • Black, Indiginous and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ and female artists are strongly encouraged to apply and will be given special consideration and scoring criteria. Equity and access is a high priority for SPark!

  • Strong preference and scoring criteria will be given to Springfield residents. Proposals from individuals and organizations both within and outside of the city of Springfield, MA will be considered, however, preference will be

  • given to proposals that include a collaborative element with the Springfield community.

PROJECT INFO:

• THEME:

  • Art should be literally or abstractly inspired by Springfield’s cultural and historical legacies, including past and/or present day residents, neighborhoods, cultural traditions and landmarks, places and landscapes, architecture, and other distinctive qualities that make the city a special place to live, work, and visit.

    • Utilize the theme in a way that ensures that Springfield residents are reflected in the artwork and have pride in the public art created through SPark! .

• SPark! Igniting Our Community , is a two-year public art project to transform recently reopened Pynchon Plaza into a vibrant public space with innovative multi-media art installations created by local and national artists.

• The project is designed to engage city artists, residents, community stakeholders, and cultural institutions to actively participate to re-imagine public art that celebrates Springfield’s citizens, culture and historical legacies.

• Competitive proposals will be inspired by aspects of Springfield itself--including its historic and/or present-day people, cultures, places and landscapes, architecture, etc.,-- and can be literal or creative, interpretive representations.

• After being closed for forty years, we are using the park’s reopening to celebrate public art and create a shared, communal space for programs, events, and celebrations that are free to the public. As a highly visible beautification project that will produce an artistic, accessible, and walkable pathway, SPark! Will:

  • Turn an under-utilized urban park into a free outdoor art gallery that all city residents and visitors can experience .

  • Be a welcome and inviting place for residents to gather to socialize and enjoy their city.

  • Use art to attract and connect people and their neighborhoods.

  • Improve physical access between neighborhoods by improving traffic patterns and pedestrian and public safety.

  • Spur public space and retail projects along adjacent avenues

  • Encourage tourism throughout the city.

  • Be a testament to the power of creativity and civic engagement in our vibrant, livable city.

  • Be a catalyst and model for inclusive urban design that connects people through shared experiences of community in public art.

• Rational urbanism blog: Pynchon Plaza
• ​​​​​​​Renovation Link: Pynchon Plaza Renovation Project (springfield-ma.gov)