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A rendering by TSKPxIKD showing what “The Community Grafting Project” will look like at the City of Cambridge's Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools complex.

Exhibit: Beloved Apple Tree Reborn Via Public Art Project Coming To Cambridge School

When a beloved apple tree was removed as part of the reconstruction of the City of Cambridge's Tobin Montessori and Darby Vassall Upper Schools complex, cuttings from the tree were saved. A new exhibition at Cambridge Arts’ Gallery 344 shows how “The Community Grafting Project,” a public art project the city has commissioned from the architectural and design studio TSKPxIKD, is giving the original tree new life.

“The Community Grafting Project-Science. Art. Social Experiment. Joy.” will be on view at Gallery 344, 344 Broadway, Cambridge, from Oct. 7, 2024, to Feb. 7, 2025. Opening reception Oct. 21, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission to all events is free. The exhibition will feature an overview of the project including process photographs and graphics, wood samples of the species being investigated for creating a playscape structure, a visitor feedback wall, and an interactive Lego table where visitors can help envision the future of the project. Free demonstrations, talks and other exhibition events run through December (full calendar below).

“The Community Grafting Project" is a living public art project that combines plant science, learning, play, community, and environmental stewardship to give the original apple tree new life by growing many clones of the original tree, enlisting the community to help nurture them, and grafting them back onto a new tree planted at the school.

TSKPxIKD, led by Cambridge resident Yugon Kim and Tomomi Itakura, is a multidisciplinary, minority-owned, community-focused architecture and design studio based in Somerville and San Francisco.

The new tree at the school will be surrounded by a wood playscape structure inspired by roots. Part of it will be constructed out of wood salvaged from trees removed during the school construction. The project not only seeks to restore the gathering place that was lost when the apple tree was cut down, but to celebrate the community by expanding the role of the public in public art.

The public art project runs in concert with the City of Cambridge’s plan to plant hundreds of additional new trees at the school complex.

Free, public exhibition events:

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cambridge Cooks: Making Mulled Cider Jam – Register at Cambridge Public Library. Presented by Afton Cyrus of Jam Sessions, food editor & recipe developer. At Valente Branch Library, 826 Cambridge St. Note: No seats available at this point, but a waiting list is available: https://cambridgepl.libcal.com/event/12872795

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Foraging Walk with David Craft, forager and author of “Urban Foraging.” Meet at La Saison Bakery, 407 Concord Ave.

Monday, Oct. 21, 6 to 8 p.m. “The Community Grafting Project-Science. Art. Social Experiment. Joy.” Exhibition reception at Gallery 344, 344 Broadway, Cambridge. Including:
• Grafting demo by Sean Halloran, plant scientist, horticulturist, plant propagator.
• Apple-themed ice cream or sorbet created by Gus Rancatore, owner Toscanini's.
• Apple tasting, cider doughnuts, and cider presented by Danielle Pattavina, owner Momma's Grocery & Wine.
• Hands-on bookmaking presented by Liticia Avery of Lend A Hand Designs.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Slide Talk: "The Art and Science of Grafting" presented by Sean Halloran, plant scientist, horticulturist, plant propagator, at Main Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway.

Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to noon. at the Foundry, 101 Rogers St, Studio 6, First Floor. Including:
• Green Woodworking Demo presented by Mitch Ryerson, artist, woodworker.
• Apple-themed treat presented by Nate Phinisee, resident chef.
• Printing on Paper presented by Karyn Brotman and Janet Buck, artists.
• Mushroom Inoculation Demo presented by Tyler Akabane, forager and owner Mushrooms for My Friends.

Friday, Dec. 6, 3 to 5 p.m. A Tree of Stories - Art and Story (suggested age: K-3rd graders) presented by Ben Cunningham, storyteller, educator, at the Community Art Center, 119 Windsor St.