Mural unveiled at Carter Post in Mattapan

Mayor Kim Janey and the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) unveiled a mural created by local artist Jeremy "Sobek" Harrison at the Carter Post at 1531 Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan. The mural was funded through a $15,000 grant from the BPDA, part of a $75,000 investment in public art in Mattapan, and was done in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture.

This mural celebrates William E. Carter Post 16’s 100th anniversary. The Carter Post is the first chartered African-American Massachusetts Post, created by the members of the famed 372nd Infantry that served in France with the Red Hand Brigade.

“The Carter Post is a vital part of our city’s history, and of the history of Mattapan,” said Mayor Kim Janey. “Throughout the BPDA’s PLAN: Mattapan process, we’ve frequently heard the importance of increased public art in the neighborhood. I am so pleased we can properly honor the anniversary of the Carter Post, as well as the Mattapan community, with this local, original artwork.”

"It was a pleasure working with the BPDA, the community group and Sobek on this creation of peace, family and Community,” said Mary-dith Tuitt, Commander of the Wm. E. Carter American Legion Post 16. “The members of the Carter Post 16 were able to watch the birth of his vision from brick wall to Stars and Stripes. And they both portray the passion of service to the public and respect for the military "

Sobek is a graffiti artist who has been creating since he was a child growing up in Mattapan, a neighborhood he says in many ways raised him. 

"I wanted to depict a sense of nature, and community love in representation of the Mattahunt tribe, as well as paying respects to those who gave their life, as well as those still fighting for a better world,” said Sobek. “The process has been a blessing because of the community support. Thanks to the youth who took pictures and the seasoned veterans who supplied me with more knowledge.”

The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture also commissioned Sobek for a long-term interior public artwork at the Roxbury Branch. It's being funded by the City's Percent for Art Program, and the artist is in the design phase of the project right now.

This mural unveiling follows a mural unveiled in May created by local teens at the Mattapan Teen Center. Both projects are part of the PLAN: Mattapan Public Art Project, which builds on the Agency’s PLAN: Mattapan study and delivers on the plan’s short-term implementation items identified by the community to support the creation of temporary public art in Mattapan. Launched in 2018, PLAN: Mattapan's goal is to work with the community to create a comprehensive vision to shape inclusive growth and investment throughout the neighborhood. As part of this project, two additional locations for murals in Mattapan are being explored by the BPDA. Mattapan property owners interested in hosting a mural should contact BPDA Community Engagement Manager Kenya Beaman.

The BPDA is also budgeting another $75,000 for public art as part of its PLAN: Newmarket study. With the Mayor's office of Arts and Culture, the agency is exploring unique opportunities for public art that are expressive of Newmarket. 

The BPDA is leading an unprecedented number of planning studies alongside Boston’s communities, each guided by Imagine Boston 2030, the first city-wide master plan in 50 years aimed at guiding growth. There are neighborhood planning studies moving forward in Charlestown, Downtown, Dorchester’s Glover’s Corner, Mattapan, Newmarket and East Boston, and the Western Ave Corridor and planning guidelines have been passed for PLAN: JP/Rox, PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue, and PLAN: Nubian Square. The South Boston Seaport Strategic Transit Plan and Allston-Brighton Mobility Study are identifying specific mobility recommendations.