Laces of Lynn – Lynstallation

Laces of Lynn is a public sculpture by Orlosky Studio installed on Mount Vernon Street in downtown Lynn in summer 2022. The colorful work ties the city’s history as a shoemaking center to the diverse, growing community it is today, using the image of shoelaces. Each lace is cut from half-inch steel sheets plasma cut into the shapes of words, and those words were generated by residents during community workshops held by the studio.

The piece sits at the plaza where Mount Vernon and Exchange Streets meet, beside the entrance to the commuter rail station. It was selected through a public vote, winning 30 percent of 212 votes, and the Lynn Public Arts Commission approved it unanimously in August 2021, with the mayor signing off the next day. Organizers hoped it would help residents and visitors reconnect after the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What to Know

• The project was funded by the City of Lynn Department of Community Development.
• The City of Lynn, the Downtown Lynn Cultural District, the Lynn Public Arts Commission and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council ran the selection.
• The commissioning process paid finalist artists for developing their concepts.
• Project information is published in both English and Spanish.