Roslindale Artist, School Picked to Paint Public Pianos

BOSTON, MA — A Roslindale artist and school have been selected, as part of a group of artists charged with bringing to life the next Street Pianos Boston series, which runs Sept. 23 through Oct. 10.

This year represents the return of the public pianos. The Boston Celebrity Series first installed the artfully decorated pianos around town in 2013, inviting the public to sit down and tickle the ivories as part of artist Luke Jerram's international "Play Me, I'm Yours" series.

According to a spokesman for the Celebrity Series, work on the pianos has begun and will continue through August 26 at the Innovation and Design Building in Boston. Once complete, the pianos will be tuned up before they are installed in every neighborhood across the city.

Courtesy the Celebrity Series, meet the Roslindale artist and school selected below:

Michael Crocket is a Roslindale resident working as a visual artist. His work revolves around the idea of the human relationship to nature and the natural world. Crocket is returning to the program, having participated in Street Pianos Boston 2013.

The Sumner Elementary School in Roslindale will also be painting a piano this year. This school participated in the program in 2013 having 500 children “hand-paint” the piano. This year the Sumner Elementary School will be asking community members to submit their “Favorite Song” and part of these songs such as titles, sheet music, etc. will be placed on the piano, over a colorful base. The elementary school is a full-service school emphasizing the arts and school-based services.

>> Photo courtesy jude, via Flickr/Creative Commons