LEXINGTON – The semi-finalists have been announced in the national search for an artist to build the Lex250 Monument, a key feature of Lex250: the 250th Anniversary celebration of the Battle of Lexington in 1775.
The Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250), a committee of the Town of Lexington, and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (“MAPC”), an official partner of the project, made the announcement on Thursday that four artist teams will advance to the next round of the search:
A total of 35 artist teams responded to the Dec. 20, 2023 call for submissions.
The semi-finalists will receive a cash stipend of $1,000 to produce a concept for the monument based on the values and vision of the project.
As adopted by a working group last fall, the vision asks artists to consider what the Battle of Lexington means to Americans today; how the town has reflected ideas of liberty throughout time; and, whether/how, the U.S. represents those ideas today.
The values seek a resulting monument that is engaging, timeless, inclusive, interactive, inspirational, and site-specific.
The concepts are due by March 1. The stipend is funded by a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act.
“Lex250 isn’t just about the people of Lexington or Massachusetts: it’s about all Americans. So, I was deeply heartened to see so many talented artists from across the country put themselves forward during the search,” Commission Chair Suzie Barry said. “Inclusivity is one of the most important values of Lex250, and through art, we hope to show that historical events can mean different things to different people, and that that’s okay.”
“Ultimately, differences of opinion and experience are central to American democracy. That’s what makes us American. E pluribus unum – out of many, one – so our motto goes.”
The final artist will be announced on April 15. They will receive a grant of $250,000 to develop and install their artwork at Belfry Park, across the Lexington Battle Green.
The award is funded by a generous donation from a member of the Lexington community who has chosen to remain anonymous.
The public will have an opportunity to review the concepts of semi-finalists at an exhibition on March 13, the details of which will be released shortly.
