Public Artwork Picked for Cambridge's Foundry

A jukebox stocked with recordings of community stories has been chosen as the public art for the City of Cambridge’s Foundry.  

Elisa H. Hamilton will refurbish a one-of-a-kind vintage 1960 jukebox to “play podcasts and community recordings, featuring the authentic stories and voices of the Cambridge community.” 

“’Jukebox’ will be a platform for community voices that empowers the public to be heard, to hear, and to come together in celebration of the richness of the Cambridge community,” the Boston-based artist says.

Hamilton will be awarded a $100,000 commission to implement "Jukebox" for the 130-year-old industrial building at 101 Rogers St., which is being repurposed by the City of Cambridge and Cambridge Redevelopment Authority into a public community space for art, entrepreneurship, technology and workforce education. Hamilton’s project is expected to be installed in time for the public opening of the building, scheduled for 2021.

The jukebox will eventually offer 100 audio tracks from recordings Hamilton produces in collaboration with The Loop Lab, a community-based non-profit social enterprise in Cambridge specializing in digital storytelling and workforce development. Soon after the Foundry opens, Hamilton will organize a free public series of live story-sharing events at the Foundry in addition to gathering recordings of stories submitted by members of the community. Visitors to the Foundry will be able to play selections on the jukebox, to be located in a dedicated space in the main lobby, and via a custom website.