Southboro's Beals Preserve is in the headlines again as the annual "Art on the Trails" exhibition beckons the community for a fusion of art and nature. Now in its thirteenth year, the exhibit showcases creations by artists nationwide along a one-mile trail, reported CBS Boston. Curated with the intention to surprise, according to founder Catherine Weber, the installations are a testament to the successful blend of outdoor vistas with artistic expressions.
The "Art on the Trails" project has its roots in 2012 but officially became a juried exhibition in 2017. Each year since has seen a new theme and juror. Marking 2025 with "Nine", an homage to the auspiciousness of the number, local artist Pam Bonaguide crafted "Nine of Lace," capturing the delicate interplay of light and shadow, as mentioned in an interview to CBS Boston. Visitors experience a physical journey as much as a visual one, prompted to "put away your phone, put away all the junk in your head and just walk down the trail,” as artists aim for the artworks to encourage a present and clear mindset.
Complementing the visual art, a Plein Air Poetry program runs parallel, offering written words to avant-garde brushstrokes. As detailed on the official Art on the Trails website, each year, poets respond to the artwork, and a catalog/poetry chapbook is published, continuing a narrative that transcends the boundaries between disciplines. With the immersive experience wrapping up in September, this year's installation has educational ties too, with Neary Elementary School students participating, contributing a piece featuring self-portraits of their eyes, pulling on the heartstrings of spectators and artists alike.
Since its foundation by Catherine Weber, "Art on the Trails" has grown to create a legacy of community engagement and artistic dialogue as indicated by previous themes like "EXPOSURE" and "Legacy", credited by the Art on the Trails website. The exhibition's success was heightened not just by the creativity on display but by the community's whole-hearted reception. Art aficionados and nature enthusiasts, shield your eyes from the urban sprawl and find solace in Beals Preserve—where art doesn't just imitate life; it mingles with the wild.
