Dover Placemaking Project - Traveling Art Display

UPDATE: January, 2023

Unfortunately, Yggdrasil did not survive the fierce winds and storms over the holiday weekend in late December 2022. We thank everyone who participated in this project and look forward to more public art events in Dover in the future!

In the Fall of 2021, Dover Parks & Recreation sent out a Call For Entries to all high school aged Dover residents for a traveling art display funded by the Dover Cultural Council and the Mass Cultural Council. The mission: create a placemaking 3D artwork that inspires and unifies our community as it travels from one Parks & Recreation maintained space to another.

Interesting, but ... what is placemaking?

According to the Project for Public Spaces website:  

...placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces as the heart of every community. Strengthening the connection between people and the places they share, placemaking refers to a collaborative process by which we can shape our public realm in order to maximize shared value.

Last December, a panel of Dover resident selected a proposal by a team of three Dover Sherborn High School seniors.

Dover Sherborn High School Class of 2022

After months of collaboration and construction, the artwork is complete.

Title: Yggdrasil 

(pronounced  ĭg-dră-zĭl using short vowels)

Artists' Statement

When creating this piece, we wanted to capture the stages of life one undergoes, particularly when living in Dover. Titled “Yggdrasil” after the word for the Nordic tree of life, our piece reflects the interconnectivity of different groups in the Dover community, and the collective whole these groups create. Each canvas panel represents a different age group and viewers are encouraged to analyze the symbols on each of the three paintings to determine which period of life corresponds to which panel. The tile and reflective mosaic base unite the three painted panels and allow for natural sunlight to enhance the piece. The movable nature of the piece speaks to the variety of public spaces in Dover that allow for interaction and community-building. As it moves from place to place, the sculpture engages with its surroundings in different ways, taking on new significance based on its contextual surroundings. 

The artwork will travel to different Parks & Recreation maintained locations around Dover. You can follow its adventures on our social media at #doverrecma

We would like to hear from you!

Send your comments and/or photos of the artwork to bmcguire@doverma.gov and we may add them to this page.

Guiding Questions (when considering the work):

• Of the different locations you viewed the traveling public art, did you have a favorite? Why/why not?
• Did you find your perception of the art changed depending on the location?
• Did memories/thoughts/feelings emerge from your time in Dover as  you experienced the art?

Please use #doverplacemakingproject and #doverrecma on any social media posts about Yggdrasil 

This project is supported by a grant from the Dover Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. 

Please direct all questions/concerns to Beth McGuire, Dover Parks & Recreation Department either by email or at 508-785-0476.

We also offer our gratitude to the artists and judges as well as the Dover Parks & Rec groundskeepers Tom & Mark for transporting the art!