WoWWW - fruit never looked so good, and neither will Broadway now that the decorations are being displayed.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Have you noticed the fun and fruity artwork, which is scattered along East Broadway’s storefronts?

Children’s artwork at that location is part of Windows on World Food (WoWW) is East Somerville Main Streets’ partnership program, one of a series of window installations. The creations were fashioned by East Somerville Main Streets, as well as by community youth.

Children came to the East Somerville Library on July 26 to make art which will decorate Broadway’s storefronts.  This event was open to everyone, and all who participated had fun.

“The mission of the project is to celebrate healthy seasonal food choices and diverse, local flavors, while brightening the business district of East Somerville with colorful art and engaging the local community,” said Carrie Dancy, Executive Director of East Somerville Main Streets.

The goal of Windows on World Food sprouted from the desire to engage a greater portion of the East Somerville community “in the revitalization of the East Broadway Business District. A business district is the heart of a community. What better way to do that than by using the artwork of local students,” said Dancy.

Further, “Our current installation, FRUIT, is a partnership between East Somerville Main Streets, Prospect Hill Academy, and the East Branch Library. Approximately 50 students participated, ranging in age from 5 to 12,” she said.

Prospect Hill Academy served as a staple partner to make the program a reality. The academy lent “both the skills of their art staff and the students’ talents,” she said.

Windows on World Food will continue into the future.  “[It] will change seasonally.  Our next big installation will be based on a picnic theme,” said Dancy.  A scavenger hunt will occur, in which participants will be required to rummage through storefront windows to locate all of the picnic items.

Also, the East Somerville Main Streets July 2011 newsletter is brimming with a plethora of additional information.