Community Art Collaborative Partners with Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe and Plymouth Public Library to Unveil “Tiny Library”

Installation Highlights Tribes Storytelling, Public Art, Accessibility and Sustainability Efforts. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) May 06, 2023 - Plymouth, MA - Community Art Collaborative, the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, and the Plymouth Public Library are proud to announce the unveiling of a unique public art installation, "Tiny Library," at the Herring Pond Wampanoag Meeting House located at 128 Herring Pond Road, Plymouth MA. The event is open to the public and will take place on Saturday, May 6th from 10 am to 11:30 am.

The installation features the art of Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe members and includes a book collection, wi-fi hotspot, and seed exchange and supplies to support food sovereignty. The Community Art Collaborative supported the production of the artwork and structure as a part of their series "Grow Kindness." Members of the tribe were provided with cardstock honeycombs and the opportunity to express the meaning of community and togetherness.

This installation is a tribute to the importance of community building and an opportunity to demonstrate how communities can continue to innovate and reconsider how we connect and build inclusive and welcoming spaces for all citizens. The tiny library and seed exchange will reside at the Herring Pond Wampanoag Meeting Center.

It is a specially crafted work by artisan Kimberly Gatesman in collaboration with Meclina Gomes and Ryan Collins, prominently featuring the artwork of Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe members and Plymouth Public School students who were guided by tribal members. Accompanying coloring book pages sharing the tribe's history and illustrated by tribe member and artist Quincy Harding has been made possible in part through a grant from the Boston Foundation's Culture and Identity Narrative Program to the Community Art Collaborative.

This installation would not be possible without a private donation of materials and the generous donation of a Wi-Fi hotspot, books, seeds, and other supplies from the Plymouth Public Library. Kelsey Casey, Plymouth Librarian, shared her excitement about the project, stating that "This project represents the Plymouth Public Library's commitment to fostering a love of reading and learning in our community, while also providing much-needed resources for those in need. By combining technology and literature with the fundamental need for nourishment, we hope to create a space that is not only a hub for education and community building but also a symbol of our tribe's resilience and generosity. We invite all members of the community to come and enjoy this new addition to the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe's resources."

Chiefwoman Melissa Ferretti expressed gratitude to the Community Art Collaborative, Plymouth Public Library, and Boston Foundation for their continued support, and stated that “The Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe is deeply grateful for the ongoing friendship and support of the Community Art Collaborative, Plymouth Public Library, and Boston Foundation. As a Tribal community located at the heart of Plymouth, we are honored and delighted to collaborate on another grassroots, community-led project. Our efforts to restore and nourish kinship bonds and strengthen intertribal and local connections with our neighbors are vital to our tribe and the wider community. We are thrilled to see this project unveiled and to offer it as an extension of our newly organized HPWT Food Sovereignty Program, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on our community.”

The Tiny Library installation is a shining example of how art, community, and innovation can come together to create inclusive and welcoming spaces for all citizens. The organizations extend an open invitation to join the reception on Saturday, May 6th from 10 am to 11:30 am at the Herring Pond Wampanoag Meeting House.

Instagram handles:
( @ ) community_art_collaborative
( @ ) herring_pond_tribe
( @ ) bostonfnd
( @ ) plymouthpubliclibrary

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