#  Public Art  

 



##  From murals to self-guided tours, public art can be found throughout Allston! 

 [ Jul 29 | Sugar-Bright: Vintage Doodle & Draw Workshop arrow\_circle\_right ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/event/sugar-bright-vintage-doodle-draw) [ Learn About Our Mural arrow\_circle\_right ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/public-art#all-this) [ Learn about Public Art & Culture Tour arrow\_circle\_right ](/public-art-tours) 

 

       ![mural outside of the ed portal](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2026-04/img_7321_720.jpg?itok=dEEEmbyE) 

 

 



 

 



 

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Public art shapes a community’s identity, that’s why we offer free opportunities to experience the Allston & Brighton arts scene with a [free self-guided tour](/public-art-tours "Harvard Public Art & Culture Tour: Allston"), outdoor exhibitions, and interactive workshops that invite visitors to engage with artists and their work.

 ![mural outside of the ed portal](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/2026-04/img_7321_720.jpg)

 



 

##  ON VIEW 

***All This, All at Once***   
Created by Allston-based art team Ansis Purins & Blipblipbeep  
  
Imagine a city block where animals, insects, and even hot dog characters celebrate the joy of shared daily urban routines—the hustle-bustle, quiet pauses, tasty meals, and surprises. This mural highlights the diversity of daily life as a community that we are all in, together. Drawn in Ansis Puriņs' dense, sugar-bright cartoon style—part ’80s Saturday-morning TV, part underground comic—the piece brings illustration, comics, and public art into the same playful frame, inviting viewers to linger in its details and spot something new each time they pass.

*Save your spot:*

- June 11 - [Summer Arts Open House](/event/summer-arts-open-house-seeds-home-opening-reception "Summer Arts Open House | Seeds of Home Opening Reception")
- July 29 - [Artist Workshop](/event/sugar-bright-vintage-doodle-draw "Sugar-Bright: Vintage Doodle & Draw")



 

Behind the Scenes with Ansis Purins

### "Inside look at our process" 

 

"I'm a Latvian-American artist who was deprived of the Saturday morning cartoons that most of my generation grew up on. Not only was I in elementary school five days a week, I also attended hours of Latvian school on Saturdays. I yearned for the morning cartoons and monster movies my friends got to watch, and my drawing has always been inspired by the creatures I got rare glimpses of. A book of vintage character trademarks that my graphic designer father gave to me was further inspiration. I've spent my life trying to draw and design as expressively and sharply as those illustrators did. I pack my work with details, starting in pencil, and then add vivid colors with brush. I strive to create relatable characters in human, animal, and fantastical forms. Ultimately, my goal is to use humor, brightness, narrative, and depth in my work to try to bring a smile."



 



      ![Illustration mural, blue, yellow, red colors](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-04/Ansis%20IMG_3524%20%282%29_0.JPG?itok=k3KMrQVk) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

##  Meet the Creative Team 

 [ Visit their page arrow\_circle\_right ](https://www.supermagicforest.com/) [ Follow on Social Media arrow\_circle\_right ](https://www.instagram.com/ansis_purins/) 

 



### Ansis Purins 

 

**Ansis Purins** is a freelance illustrator and cartoonist based in Allston, MA. When he’s not drawing his latest graphic novel, he’s making comics for *Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine* and working on various projects for clients. His work can be found in Boston-area comic book stores as well as on two electrical boxes for the City of Boston's PaintBox program (both on Comm Ave). He has won grants from the Xeric Foundation as well as the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (M.I.C.E.) for his work. He was recently interviewed on Australia's national public radio (ABC), by beloved host Angela Catterns about his upcoming Bunyip comic (ask him about Bunyips).



 



      ![Headshot of artist ansis purins, wearing glasses, red shirt, and black button jacket against white wall](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-04/Ansis%20Purins%20Headshot.jpg?h=8ad749c4&itok=5ElAoNSp) 

 

 

  

 



### Blipblipbeep 

 

**Blipblipbeep** believes in the power of the humanities, especially cultural institutions and the artists who contribute to them. She supports Ansis as his partner and studio assistant, providing assistance with painting and production. She recommends everyone spend some time looking closely at works of art.



 



      ![Artist jennifer purins posing for headshot wearing black, half smiling, with white background](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-04/Jennifer%20Purins%20Headshot%201.jpg?h=4b8517b4&itok=4oYRvKap) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

##  Past Murals at the Ed Portal 

[Give & Take Swap Boxes for Allston-Brighton by NonIssueStudio](/public-art-swap-boxes "Public Art Swap Boxes")



 

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### Explore the arts 

 

Take the Harvard Public Art & Culture Tour and explore what Allston and Cambridge have to offer!



 [ Learn more arrow\_circle\_right ](https://edportal.harvard.edu/public-art-tours) 

 



      ![Harvard logo for visit harvard map icon](/sites/g/files/omnuum12051/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-05/Screenshot%202026-05-26%20095502.png?itok=ubrTtrLn)