LYNN — A Lynn artist is stringing inspirational words around the city to try to bring some positivity during difficult times.
Emmanuelle Le Gal, 52, said not only are people dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the hardships that have accompanied it, but they’re living through a period of political polarization.
Le Gal hopes that her new art installations, which consist of inspirational words that are strung together in chain link fences with flag tape, will help spread some positivity and joy to those who walk by her work.
“I wanted those words to be inspiring, uplifting,” said Le Gal. “Poetry that makes you stop and think, like ‘believe,’ ‘be kind,’ ‘dream,’ ‘thank you heroes.’ They have become words that float in the air just like thoughts. They spread positivity and are inclusive.
“Regardless of your situation, the pandemic has been a game-changer for almost everyone, but I believe the human spirit is remarkably resilient. We need to be reminded of that resiliency within us. This country is so divided. I want these words to unite people so I really wanted to move ahead with this project.”
Le Gal has already started spreading that message, as she has been installing the words with flag type — an inexpensive plastic ribbon that construction workers use to mark out space — in various locations throughout the city.
She plans on doing six word designs, including ‘thank you heroes’ across from the old Shaw’s on State Street; one that says ‘believe’ across from Lynn Classical High School; one that says ‘be kind’ at the intersection of O’Callaghan Way and Breed Middle School; and another message that reads ‘dream’ near the Brickyard, Le Gal said.
Her project is being funded with two $1,000 grants she received from the Downtown Lynn Cultural District and Lynn Cultural Council earlier this year.
Le Gal said she was encouraged to apply for a Lynn Cultural Council grant by Tia Cole, of Lynn Main Streets, after her similar indoor flag tape installation at the Galleries at LynnArts, which was part of the nonprofit’s “Imaginary Spaces and Far Out Places” exhibit.
The grant she received was for her initial project proposal, which was slated to consist of a flag tape installation on the facade of the LynnArts building. As she needed additional funds, Le Gal said she applied for a second grant from the Downtown Lynn Cultural District, Canvas City, with the help of Carolyn Cole and Carla Sheri at Kick It Up Consulting.
Le Gal was one of 10 local artists who received $1,000 grants for creative placemaking projects that demonstrated positivity and inclusivity through their art.
The grants, through the Downtown Lynn Cultural District’s “Canvas the City” creative community placemaking initiative, came from an allocation of state funds earmarked for arts and culture by state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), she said.
“Beyond Walls was also going to help me with the realization of this project, but with the delays and the weather it became clear that I could not make my initial project happen,” said Le Gal. “Due to the pandemic, I had to pivot my project towards typography fence art and design which is weaving words and design into chain link fences with my flag tape.”
Le Gal said she worked with local artists, students and organizations to decide which words she would use, which were ones that best defined those groups and individuals.
For example, Le Gal said the Galleries at LynnArts, where she serves as a board member, thought that the word ‘create’ would be a perfect representation of the artistic community, and Lynn Main Streets, a group that is working to revitalize the city’s downtown, suggested the word ‘together.’
Le Gal, a native of France who moved to the United States after meeting her American husband in London in 1989, said the project is a very personal one for her.
The couple lived in Boston while they were attending college, Le Gal at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, but eventually moved to Lynn based on a need for larger studio space for their respective fields, where they have resided for the past 20 years, she said.
“It’s been wonderful to be able to do this for the city of Lynn,” said Le Gal. “It’s been a labor of love to create those words. It’s a very hands-on project so it’s been difficult to physically work with other people unfortunately.
“I planned each word carefully in advance on the computer with a template for each letter. I’m a graphic designer so this project is perfect for me. It combines my love for arts and typography.”
