Cambridge has added three mosaic murals to the Tobin Montessori and Darby Vassall Upper Schools and Community Complex. Commissioned by Cambridge Arts, the murals aim to reflect community, memory, and a sense of belonging.
According to the City of Cambridge release, the artists—Andromeda Lisle, Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, and Ekua Holmes—were selected to represent the social fabric and aspirations of the school. Their designs were created to engage students and connect with educational themes.
As per the same release, Ekua Holmes's mural "You Belong Here" depicts sports, reading, and family activities. The design was based on Holmes' collage work and developed through community engagement. Andromeda Lisle's "Tranquility" uses imagery of a whale and calf to reflect relationships between faculty, staff, and students. Lisle’s work draws from her Cherokee, Black, and Irish heritage. Students learned about her artistic process through a gallery show and workshops. Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya's "Worlds Stir in the Tender Shoots of Memory" incorporates themes of family and ancestry with imagery of nature and mythology, using symbolic elements such as books, flowers, and animals to represent strength and resilience.
The murals also serve as educational tools, with Cambridge Public Library staff compiling themed reading lists and teachers incorporating the visuals into lessons. The installations are part of Cambridge’s ongoing effort to integrate art into public spaces and support collaboration between artists, students, educators, and the community.
