Competition draws submissions from more than 50 artists

Franklin Park is Boston’s largest open greenspace, featuring 485 acres of trails, playing fields, historical landmarks and the Franklin Park Zoo. Designed by acclaimed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in 1885, it has served as a crucial natural oasis for the neighborhoods bordering it: Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester and Mattapan.

In early fall, the City of Boston, the Boston Society of Landscape Architects (BSLA) and the Franklin Park Coalition launched a poster design competition celebrating the physical and cultural icons of the park.

Artists of all styles and ages were encouraged to enter designs highlighting Franklin Park’s legacy and impact. An emerging artist category gave opportunity for young artists ages 14-24 to participate. More than 50 artists submitted designs and five winners were chosen.

“The submissions we received clearly show the love and care people have for Franklin Park,” said interim Boston Parks Commissioner Cathy Baker-Eclipse. “They are also a testament to the incredible artistic talent right here in Boston. We’re thrilled to celebrate both the park’s history and the creativity of our community through this competition.”

In the jury selection series category, Helena Wang won for her piece “Franklin Park: Framed Through Time” and Lindsay Crockett won for “New Jewels,” which focused on Roxbury cultural icon Elma Lewis. In the jury selection emerging artist category, Stella Shippy won for “Birds of Franklin Park” and Anne Lai won for “History and Horizon at Franklin Park.” And finally, the people’s choice winner was Becky Fong Hughes for “Franklin Park: Alive with People, Place and Story.” All five received a cash prize.

“Whether it’s honoring the history of the great Elma Lewis, recollecting Olmsted’s vision, showcasing the incredible native species found throughout the park or uplifting the many cultural events whose home is Franklin Park — these pieces capture how foundational Franklin Park continues to be to our city and our communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu.

There is a rich history of memorializing public parks through posters, with roots back to the Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project in the 1930s when artists were commissioned to portray public spaces in collector-worthy posters. Places like Yellowstone National Park and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco were celebrated this way, while other posters encouraged people to visit national and state parks more generally.

The winning designs of the Franklin Park poster competition will be on display at the Boston Public Library branches near Franklin Park in the new year. All the submissions can be viewed in the BSLA online gallery as well.

“As designers of landscapes and admirers of Frederick Law Olmsted’s enduring legacy, the Boston Society of Landscape Architects is delighted to see such passionate engagement in celebrating and stewarding this remarkable park,” said Luisa Oliveira, competition juror and past BSLA president. “The community’s commitment beautifully reflects the ongoing vitality and relevance of this nationally significant landscape in the life of the city.”

ON THE WEB

See all the poster submissions at bslanow.org/postercompetition