LEXINGTON — The Lex250 Commission is excited to announce that the public art series, titled “Riding Through History” will be unveiled on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 10:00 before the Parker’s Prelude festival, which begins at 11:00 a.m.
A series of four life-size, fiberglass horses that reflect Lexington’s history and pay homage to Paul Revere’s ride will be unveiled throughout town during a ceremony.
Starting at the Lexington Post Office at 10 a.m., opening remarks about the project will be shared, and visitors are invited to walk to each work as they are revealed one by one by the Lex250 Commission.
Artists Howie Green, Renee Majkut, Emily Bhargava and Dawn Evans Scaltreto will be present to briefly discuss their works as visitors walk to explore each piece.
The walk will end at the Lexington Visitors Center at 11 a.m., and the celebration for Parker’s Prelude will commence on the Lexington Battle Green.
The horses have been decorated by commissioned, well-known local artists, some of whom have also painted the CowParade New England works for the Dana Farber Jimmy Fund project in 2023.
Artist Howie Green, who has contributed works to CowParade New England, has painted a horse for Lexington in his signature psychedelic, pop art style. Widely acclaimed artists Emily Bhargava and Tova Speter, who have each contributed works to the CowParade New England campaign as well, have combined creative forces to produce a mosaic-style thoroughbred. Artists Renee Majkut and Dawn Evans Scaltreto will also have their works unveiled and have pulled inspiration from Lexington sights. Dawn has created multiple Boston sports-themed cows for CowParade including, A Great Day at Fenway, A Wicked Good Bruins Game and Bill Belicow.
The “Riding Through History” public art initiative seeks to seamlessly blend art and history, using horse iconography to promote not only Lexington’s storied equestrian heritage, but the legendary journeys of Paul Revere, William Dawes, and others, as they rode through the countryside on April 18, 1775.
A total of six works have been created for the art initiative, and two are already on public view.
Following the unveiling, the Lex250 Commission will begin the celebrations for Parker’s Prelude at 11 a.m. Parker’s Prelude is a community festival and the second official event in the 250th Anniversary Celebration of the Battle of Lexington in 1775. It was originally scheduled for July but was not held due to rain.
The community festival will consist of activities for all ages and concerts from a series of local groups. The Lexington Minute Men will also use a ceremonial sword to cut and serve a giant birthday cake, created by Wilson Farm Bakers, in honor of Captain Parker.
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