Why was Dewey park chosen as the location? 

Part of the selection criteria was recreation activities – Dewey Park is a small park where the activities will not be affected the way they would at other neighborhood parks. The sculpture and placement was designed to be integrated with the seasonal, weekly farmers market at Dewey and function more as a place of community gathering than as an area of activity. The artist was commissioned to design a sculpture for Dewey Park specifically as a place for reflection and create meaning rather than an add on to an existing use of space in a larger park.   

What is the meaning and inspiration behind the piece? 

Embrace and Belonging artist Aiqiu Hopen tells us: “The two entwined symbols are inspired by Sankofa birds, their heads turning past one another and embracing. The design represents the need to reflect on history, to harvest from the past what is meaningful for building a better future, to recognize that systemic racism in America is crucial to understanding the importance of advocating/acting for justice, and to embrace hope in the present struggle for freedom. We want to symbolize the enduring human spirit for love and inclusion overcoming hatred and division, honoring the strength and beauty of diversity in our shared destiny.” 

What Embrace and Belonging could mean for the community: 

• A flexible narrative that centers the diverse experiences of neighborhood residents; a vector to tell the stories past, present, and future of the Old North End and greater Burlington community  

• After the 2020 social justice uprisings and racial reckoning, a physical monument to inspire change in the community.  

• Create awareness of “Radical Belonging”: moving past just tolerating to truly integrating, to finding bridges and greater good with our neighbors. 

• As the beginning of the conversation on radical belonging, racial equity, and affinity. We strive to leave room for neighborhood residents to decide ways to continue the conversation.  

The community was not engaged enough, what are you going to do to change that?

For the latest public meeting, City departments did outreach to the Old North End, and Burlington, community through social media, promoting it through community organizations, and lawn signs including language translations. We are looking to engage with residents from the community to better understand and address concerns, as well as inform everyone about our process and the benefits of this project.  

We intend to continue engagement through working with the school, the artist, meetings with the farmer’s market, and community members. 

Why not Roosevelt Park? 

Roosevelt is an active park with lots of sports activities and events, as we looked for a park where the sculpture would have prominence in the space, Dewey Park was a better fit. In the location selection process, it was a priority to not encroach on a place where community members already hold space for recreation activities, and not take away from currently-active open space. 

What about the Farmer's Market?

The Farmer’s Market was a part of the selection of the work and has always been a vital consideration as the project was planned. This piece is intended to enhance the market, both for the vendors and for the patrons, by providing shade, seating, increased attention, and visibility to the location without limiting the number of vendors able to attend the market. 

Per the Market's recommendation, the artwork is set back 13 feet from the pedestrian sidewalk, connected with a new section of pathway. To allow the most room possible for vendors and marketgoers.