A People's History of Allston

What does "people power" mean to you? What are your aspirations for Allston and how can you shape its future? Reflect on these questions and more this summer at the Crossings Gallery exhibition, A People's History of Allston, by local artist and activist Gustavo Barceloni.

On view at the Crossings Gallery through September 14, 2023

Collective Power Through Art

In this community-generated project, Barceloni represents a snapshot of people and their collective power through ceramic art. Over the last year, Barceloni listened as neighbors shared their stories about the challenges and joys of life in Allston, discussed ways to take action on local issues, and guided them to stamp clay slabs as a record of their commitment and concerns. In his studio, Barceloni transformed the slabs into over 30 inspiring and provocative ceramic mugs now on display.

Whether Allston has your favorite restaurants and basement shows, or you're concerned about gentrification and rats, explore this exhibit to deepen the dialogue about the power of people and civic art in a changing neighborhood.

Harvard Ed Portal · A People's History of Allston

A People's History of Allston is a mug-making project where neighbors shared their stories, recorded them in clay, and pledged to take action on local issues. Through guided interviews, Allston residents and enthusiasts took the time to talk with Gustavo Barceloni about neighborhood issues and what they could do about them. Then, they stamped a pre-made clay slab that Barceloni turned into a finished ceramic mug in his studio. The community process was critical—the art is by, about, and for the people that make Allston the neighborhood that it is.

Barceloni says, "It was important for me that people from all walks of life were able to participate. I brought the project all over Allston: Ringer Park, on the sidewalk between Brighton Music Hall and the Sil, Jackson Mann Community Center, McNamara House, Honan-Allston Library, people's kitchen tables, the Harvard Ed Portal, and more. Sometimes, an interview was conducted in Portuguese or Spanish at the park."

Barceloni describes this community-generated process:

"Sometimes, I interviewed a family, couple, or pair of friends who made a mug together at their table. Having multiple dates, ways, and places of being available for people helped me to meet them where they were at.

"During the interview process, residents reflected on their relationship with the neighborhood. Each gave unique answers to the questions: "What makes Allston great? What's changing? What does 'people power' mean to you?". From individual improvements, like becoming a kinder person, to more radical viewpoints, like abolishing the capitalist system at the root of gentrification, residents shared hopes for how to address community needs. Details of what's shaping Allston—joy in people describing the community they found and worry about the gentrification that Allston faces—came more and more to light thanks to neighbors' stories.

"The use of pre-cut clay slabs and stamps made the process more approachable. It can be hard to make art without prior experience or knowledge learned in a dedicated class. My experience working as a museum educator and after-school teacher made me appreciate how bringing art to kids can shift their lives. I believe anyone should have that opportunity, and wanted to bring that mission to this project.

"After bringing the stamped slabs to my studio, I shaped the slab into a cylinder, attached a bottom, added a handle, and then I fired it in my kiln. I applied a wash of underglaze over the surface in order to reveal the texture and details made by community members, then lined the inside with a coat of glaze so the mug can be used.

"Neighbors will be able to take their mugs home with them at the closing reception. At the event, they can fill up their cup, say "cheers" to one another, and reflect on their participation in the project. Hopefully, residents will form connections by listening to each other's stories and their shared commitment to Allston. Their mug will remind them of their role in the community and the hope they can build if they continue to speak up, take action, and connect with neighbors."

Special thanks to the following community members for their contributions to this project:

Lucie C., Fe H., Sean C., Rabia M., Mahnoor, Lasaj, Hunaid, Ranoa, Nadeem, Mahdia, Sunflower, Elijah O., Mariam B., Jane Z., Scott J., Red H., Meryl B., Hayden S., Lynda G., Joseph G., Janie N., Sean F., Alex C., Nadine M., Aveny W., Edith S., Irene M., Nino L., Monica L., Catherine F., Kaitlin M., DJemy R., Tessa R., Gislene R., David T., Jacob B., Sarah S., Charissa Z., Stella L., Anjah G., Ross M., Scarlette R., Rodrigo A., Jax F., Emma F., Coco D., Vera M., Sarah I., Carlos T., Amada A., Lorena P., Andrea M., Kat, Arielle, Jose R., George D., and more.

Mugs remind us that, like clay, the world can be shaped by us, if only we believe in our potential to connect and create.

Gustavo Barceloni, artist

"My numerous inspirations for this project share a deep-rooted love for the people. So many beautiful human beings are not allowed to live, grow, or rejoice because of oppression and exploitation. A People's History is a history of resistance; of a people's perspective in their struggle against those in power. I am in awe of those who fight the evils of this world that are produced and worsened by capitalism. My heroes are those organizing everyday to free this planet from capitalism's grip and fill us with the courage and hope required to carry out this struggle together. They have shown how building community, fighting for each other, and speaking the truth is everything. They prove that a better world is possible and is already being built.

"As an artist, the question of why I make art and what to do with it is constant. I believe art can produce beauty, amusement, comfort, and be thought-provoking. I believe we cannot live fully free until we build a new system that prioritizes people's needs. In this dark world, I look towards the words of revolutionary artists as a guiding light.

"Nina Simone said, 'An artist's duty...is to reflect the times.'

"Ursula K. Le Guin said, 'We live in capitalism. Its power seems inescapable. So did the divine right of kings. Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings. Resistance and change often begin in art, and very often in our art, the art of words.'

"Elizabeth Catlett said, 'I have always wanted my art to service my people—to reflect us, to relate to us, to stimulate us, to make us aware of our potential. We have to create an art for liberation and for life.'

"These are the foundational lessons I have learned and carry with me in all that I do. My love for making ceramics made me appreciate clay's ability to hold detail and to tell stories of humankind. History provides us with the best weapon to fight our class struggle: the knowledge that when people unite, rise, and fight for a better future, we win. With these ideas in mind, I seek to reflect my community in clay, document our aspirations, and help us understand our collective power in order to build a new world together.

"Connecting with each other is the groundwork for this. When we invite someone over and pour them some tea, we listen between our sips for more stories. Telling our side and digging into the truth of our shared experiences bonds us deeply. Mugs can become conversation starters and reminders of what neighbors promised they would do to better Allston. Mugs remind us that, like clay, the world can be shaped by us, if only we believe in our potential to connect and create."

Artist Statement

My ceramic work is made for my neighbors, for the working class, for the Brazilian diaspora, and for all freedom fighters against capitalism. The doodles, speech bubbles, jokes, and patterns I scribble originate from old classroom notebooks, graffitied walls, and immigrant childhood memories. Portu-English, propaganda pottery, and people-centered slogans are my multi-lingual methods of communication. I sell, gift, and barter pots in hopes of promoting a class and cultural understanding of what I've lived and learned. I believe art is best when shared and when making a difference. I believe in community-generated art.

Let's make a mug, discuss people power at the dinner table, and take our ideas to the streets!

Photo by Mel Taing (Instagram: @m.ltaing)

Gustavo Barceloni

Gustavo Tavares Barceloni was born in Brazil and raised in Greater Boston. He holds a BFA in ceramics from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and a M.Ed from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. In 2022, Gustavo was a participant in the Harvard Ed Portal's inaugural Artist Pipeline Program and is an instructor at the Ceramics Program, Office for the Arts at Harvard. Gustavo creates illustrative tableware, installations, and community based projects that promote working class power and explores the complexities of the Brazilian diaspora. As a ceramics teacher and museum educator, he is dedicated to teaching art as rest, reflection, and resistance.

Resources

Would you like to get involved in the Allston community, but aren't sure where to start? The artist has shared this list of a few places where you can receive support or contribute to community causes related to food, housing, childcare, and more. Click on the links below to find out more!