Celebrating Cape Verdean Heritage at Island Park, New Bedford

This project began as a call for public art through the Cape Verdean Association of New Bedford, and through collaboration we brought it to life together. What emerged is not just an art installation, but a community-driven celebration of Cape Verdean culture and heritage.

Island Park in New Bedford has long been a gathering place for community, history, and culture. This year, it has become the canvas for a new public art installation that celebrates the richness of Cape Verdean heritage—both from the ten islands of Cape Verde and from the vibrant enclave that has flourished here in New Bedford for generations.

As part of this project, we painted the serpentine benches in Island Park with symbols that reflect the Cape Verdean story—food, music, history, and everyday life. Alongside local Cape Verdean artists, we transformed the benches into colorful works of art, layering hibiscus flowers, conta beads, fishing boats, turtles, and musical motifs that honor our traditions and the rhythms of island living.

This initiative also includes the installation of a tiny library, offering books and resources that highlight Cape Verdean authors and cultural stories. It’s a space for learning, sharing, and connecting, where community members can come to explore the depth of Cape Verdean identity.

To further expand this celebration, we designed a Cape Verdean coloring book for all ages—from 2 to 92. The book is divided into four sections—Food, Arts, History, and Oceanography—and offers interactive, engaging ways to learn about Cape Verde’s heritage. Coloring pages and postcards will also be available through the tiny library.

The coloring book is available for purchase at www.meclinaart.com.

This project was made possible through the support of the Community Art Collaborative, which continues to foster creative projects that uplift cultural voices and stories. To learn more, visit www.communityartcollaborative.org.

This was made possible by working with The Cape Verdean association of New Bedford.