MARION — While there is always an abundance of art inside the Marion Art Center, a traveling exhibit is bringing a unique exhibit to its exterior thanks to the New Bedford based public art organization, DATMA.

In May of 2025, the 501c3 nonprofit Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston and its Creative Land Trust Program acquired the Star Store in downtown New Bedford for the purpose of reimagining and reactivating the building as a public resource to benefit artists, makers, creators, and small creative businesses. What is next?

“A lot of pieces, we can walk around or we can walk through or under and past, but not a lot of public art pieces can we walk through and engage in this way where… the art reflects part of us onto it.” Julia Swanson of the Art Walk Project comments on Mood-Vironment by Mona Ghandi.

“Transformation (II)” written by Sarah Jane Mulvey is an original work commissioned by DATMA as part of our annual poetry series that launches each exhibition season.

“Recognition,” written by Aneshia Savino is an original work commissioned by DATMA as part of our annual poetry series that launches each exhibition season.

By Amanda Hawkins, Programs Manager A Monumental Kickoff at City Hall On June 13th, DATMA launched Being Seen: Celebrating Pride in the SouthCoast — a monumental community-driven public art project — with the first installation at City Hall and an exhibition opening at Gallery X. Installing public art on a historic building like City Hall

Massachusetts Design Art and Technology Institute (DATMA), the non-collecting contemporary art institute based in New Bedford, MA, will once again bring a variety of free public art and programs to New Bedford for summer 2025. DATMA will open its 7th season on June 13th with two exhibitions; Being Seen: Celebrating Pride in the SouthCoast and Mood-Vironment: An Interactive A.I. Responsive Sculpture.

Now with space to spread out in our community room or to sew in the artist studio, production of our Pride piece is well underway. The timing couldn’t be more urgent with the political climate heating up.

We invite you to join us on March 20th from 6-8pm for an after-work gathering to support our upcoming public art season. The event will spotlight Kayla Gagnet, the Senior Vice President of Editorial for the media company, equalpride. From her journalist platform, Gagnet will explore topics such as censorship of art and the importance of acting locally. During the evening, guests will enjoy a specialty set of eclectic vibes provided by DJ Claudia Deebee,

Take a look behind the scenes of DATMA’s summer workshop with New Bedford YMCA Summer Camp