Let Freedom Ring Call for Artists
Paint 3D-printed telephone replicas inspired by Somerville's historical freedom sites. $500 compensation per artist.
The Somerville Museum invites artists to participate in "Let Freedom Ring," a public art project celebrating lesser-known sites in Somerville where freedoms were fought for and won. Modeled after the first residential telephone installed in Somerville in 1877, this project uses telephone replicas as listening and speaking points connecting past and present, place and person, silence and voice.
Artists will paint 3D-printed telephone boxes (12" x 6.5" x 6.5") inspired by one of twelve historical sites, including Union Square, Leonard Grimes' house, Ruth Veletta Jones High School, MT Hollander house, Charles Williams house (first telephone line), Cobble Hill, Primus Hall marker, Mystic River, Foss Park, Pullman Porters neighborhood, Benjamin Roberts' House, and the Somerville Museum.
Selected artists receive $500 compensation. The project timeline includes: application deadline March 25, 2026; box pickup April 5-10; completion deadline May 28; and installation June 2-10.
Artists must submit a PDF containing: a proposal explaining their site interpretation with first and second choice selections (paintings don't need to be realistic) and weatherization plan for durability through winter; a portfolio of painted works representing intended style; resume/CV; and artist bio.
Preference is given to artists who live or have studios in Somerville. This project is funded by an MA250 grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. Learn more about historical sites through the "History on the Line" exhibition at the Somerville Museum.