Lynn Portraits

Lynn Portraits is a large public art installation of more than 500 portraits covering the wall beneath the MBTA Commuter Rail’s Central Square stop in Lynn. Each portrait was created by young people at Raw Art Works, the Lynn after-school arts program, and together they picture residents, elected leaders, community activists and complete strangers. The black-and-white likenesses sit on color backgrounds and stretch from one end of the wall to the other, nearly covering it from top to bottom.

The project grew out of months of street work, as students went out across the city photographing locals with iPads given to the organization. They then recreated each likeness using ink and transfer sheets, and the finished pieces were mounted using Dibond and aluminum materials meant to last a long time. Program director Käthe Swaback described the mural as a tribute to the people who make up the Lynn community, both notable figures and everyday faces.

What to Know

• The installation includes 528 portraits in total.
• 162 of the portraits are self-portraits by Raw Art Works students.
• The project is credited to Raw Art Works and Good 2 Go (G2G).
• Boston Magazine covered the project when it was installed.