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Location
Pittsfield, MA
Project Title
Celebration - The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
Fiscal Year Awarded
2025
Grant or Program
Public Art for Spatial Justice
Grant Amount
$23,000
The project aims to honor the historic contributions of the 54th Regiment, one of the first African-American units in the Civil War, with two public murals in Pittsfield, MA. The first mural will be painted at Durant Park with community involvement, allowing residents to participate in its creation. The second, a vinyl mural, will be installed on College Way, replacing the existing "Walk with Me" mural. This initiative also integrates a new curriculum in local schools to deepen students' understanding of the regiment's legacy and its significance to the community, particularly in the historically black West Side area of Pittsfield. The project starts with artist invitations and culminates with a celebration with the unveiling of the murals and a screening of the film "Glory" at Durant Park. Collaborators include the City of Pittsfield, Berkshire County NAACP, Rites of Passage Empowerment (ROPE), and the Samuel Harrison Society.
For more information visit: www.westsidelegends.org