This coming August marks the installation of artist LaRissa Rogers’ “Going to Ground” – a site specific sculpture on The Rose Kennedy Greenway exploring the life of Zipporah Potter Atkins, the first-known Black woman to own a home in Boston in 1670. Potter Atkins’ home rested on land now cared for by The Greenway in the North End, which was brought to light by Dr. Vivian Johnson, Professor Emerita of Boston University, after 6 years of archival research.
Throughout the month of August, The Conservancy will be offering a series of events to engage with this piece: On Thursday, August 15th, from 5-8pm, and Saturday, August 17th, from 2-5pm, The Greenway is hosting two adobe brick-making workshops with artist LaRissa Rogers. Come get your hands in the soil, and help us craft adobe bricks which will be used in the activation of the public sculpture. On Thursday, August 22nd, from 4-7pm, drop by The Greenway during a durational performance by artists LaRissa Rogers (@larissa_rogers) and Zalika Azim (@26thletter) working together with collaborators – including their moms, aunts, sisters, and several Boston-based artists – to lay adobe soil bricks on-site for the foundation of the sculpture. On Saturday, August 24th, from 4pm-7pm, join us for a communal meal and party produced by SIDE Presents (@sidepresents) honoring Dr. Vivian Johnson and celebrating the installation of the sculpture.
