Nuestra Mesa
Project Description
This project was initiated during the first summer of the pandemic in 2020 and has undergone now several iterations.
During that difficult year of crisis and illness, we were inspired by a Dominican tradition of mourning. After a death, friends and family celebrate the deceased for nine days. The nine days “consist of three days of grieving (crying and reminiscing), three days of silence (thinking and reverence) and three days for release (accepting and separating).” As Chelsea continues to cope as one of the communities hardest hit by illness, death and economic fall-out of the pandemic, a public space for comfort, reflection, and coming safely together as a community was important.
On nine tables, nine artists created individual works illustrating each day of mourning. A collective color palette demonstrated that even though grief and mourning is processed alone, we also process the experiences of our lives collectively as members of a community.
The tables inspired a series of poetry by Chelsea youth called Nuestra Parablas.
The tables remained in place on Chelsea Square where they became a welcome part of the landscape, engaged in everyday use as well as happenings in the area like a Mother's Day art installation of Chalk Art and marigolds.
In 2022, we are now in a different emotional place and the tables needed a refresh. Local artists came together in person this time with the concept of "Emotional Support Trees." In a deeply collaborative process the team contributed to the designs and painting for a restoration of the the tables of Nuestra Mesa.
This project was coordinated by Claudia Paraschiv of Studioful Design.
meet the artists
Amanda Arensault
A part-time member of the staff of the Chelsea Public Library, Amanda loves to bring people together around around books and learning. As part of the creative team of All Planets, she partners behind the scenes with Max Pro and is a frequent participant in creative programs across the city. Amanda provided the background research on trees for the 2022 group of artists.
Aliyah saldana-oswald
Aliyah Saldana-Oswald is our youngest participating artist, and daughter of Nelson Saldana. Art enables her to have an emotional outlet. She has been painting since very young.
Aliyah interpreted the theme of SOIL, representing the 5th day of mourning.
Jasmine Velasquez
Yenny is a Latina award winning graphic designer and illustrator from the Northshore. Of Puerto Rican descent her work pulls from her heritage and is often infused with vibrant colors and tropical foliage. Her work spans from messages of positivity, finding your voice, to depicting family, friends, and artists of color.
Yenny interpreted the theme of RAIN, representing the 1st day of mourning.
Max Pro
Max Pro was born and raised in Chelsea. His love for comic books and time travel fuel his creativity, which feeds into everything he does. He owns a custom clothing design business called All Planets that represents suicide awareness and mental health.
Max Pro interpreted the theme of FALLING LEAVES representing the 2nd day of mourning.
YENNY HERNANDEZ
Yenny is a Latina award winning graphic designer and illustrator from the Northshore. Of Puerto Rican descent her work pulls from her heritage and is often infused with vibrant colors and tropical foliage. Her work spans from messages of positivity, finding your voice, to depicting family, friends, and artists of color.
Yenny interpreted the theme of RAIN, representing the 1st day of mourning.
keshia de leon
Keshia de Leon of K Leon Creative Consulting is a Creative Educator, Artist, and Activist. Through her work in Community Engagement and Mural installation she has gained a unique and honest artistic vision that guides her work.
Keshia interpreted the theme of WAVES, representing the 3rd day of mourning.
TRIPPYLANDIA
Trippylandia is a Photographer and a Fine Art Painter in the Boston area. Her work is a combination of surrealism and psychedelic art. She composes vivid characters with a galactic and trippy feel, inspired by Vincent Van Gogh, Tim Burton, and Astronomy.
Trippylandia interpreted the theme of CLOUDS, representing the 4th day of mourning.
MARIANNE RAMOS
“Whatever I do, art shows up in the mix.” Marianne has lived, worked, and volunteered in Chelsea since 1983. With many college credits, but no degree, Marianne is a self-taught artist best known for her micro-mosaic collages, shell-o-visions, and Pandemic Postcards. Her work has been seen at local galleries.
Marianne interpreted the theme of WIND, representing the 9th day of mourning.
NIRVANNA LILDHARRIE
Nirvanna Lildharrie is a painter based in Chelsea. Locally, Nirvanna has participated in the Chelsea Night Market, showcasing her art and doing free portraits for the people of Chelsea. In her art, you can find motifs of human emotion, gender, spirituality, and nature.
Nirvanna interpreted the theme of SUNSHINE, representing the 7th day of mourning.
ANNA DUGAN
Anna Dugan is a Filipina American mural artist & illustrator based in Salem, MA. She use colors, patterns, typography, and humor to spread joy & positivity through her work. “Art brings communities together and has the power to connect us to one another.”
Anna interpreted the theme of OCEAN, representing the 6th day of mourning.
NELSON SALDANA
Based in Chelsea, MA, Nelson was born in the Bronx, NY, and moved to Chelsea when he was twelve. Since he was a child, he sketched uncontrollably all the time. Nelson’s goal in art is simple: create the most art through as many different media as possible and watch what happens.
Nelson interpreted the theme of NEW TREE, representing the 8th day of mourning.
SCOTT LANES
Scott Lanes is the owner of Witch City Customs in Salem, MA - a custom fabrication and architectural metalwork studio. Scott thrives on taking designs to new levels and collaborating to create original, fun, and useful works. Scott fabricated the table frames for the Nuestra Mesa table sets, including custom feet and symbol sun discs.
