Saturday, May 6, 2023 I had the honor and pleasure to present this tiny library to the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, as a collaboration with the Community Art Collaborative and the Plymouth Public Library.
It took six months from its initial conception on November 5, 2022 to design, build and install. Taking into account a full time job, three holidays, and a surgery, I actually made good time!
Please read below the statement made by tribe on their Facebook post after the unveiling ceremony, which describes the scope of the project and all its supporters and collaborators.
My thoughts on this project will be in another post, as well as one documenting the v.1 building process.
From the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe Facebook page:
Tiny Library! Kutâputash to all that made this possible!
Media contact:
communityartcollaborative@gmail.com
646-717-2580
Community Art Collaborative Partners with Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe and Plymouth Public Library to Unveil “Tiny Library”
Installation Highlights Tribes Storytelling, Public Art, Accessibility and Sustainability Efforts
Plymouth, MA – May 6, 2023
Community Art Collaborative, the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, and the Plymouth Public Library are proud to announce the unveiling of a unique public art installation, “Tiny Library,” at the Herring Pond Wampanoag Meetinghouse .
The installation features the art of Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe members and includes a book collection, wi-fi hotspot, and seed exchange and supplies to support food sovereignty. The Community Art Collaborative supported the production of the artwork and structure as a part of their series “Grow Kindness.” Members of the tribe were provided with cardstock honeycombs and the opportunity to express the meaning of community and togetherness.
This installation is a tribute to the importance of community building and an opportunity to demonstrate how communities can continue to innovate and reconsider how we connect and build inclusive and welcoming spaces for all citizens. The tiny library and seed exchange will reside at the Herring Pond Wampanoag Meetinghouse.
It is a specially crafted work by artisan Kimberly Gatesman in collaboration with Meclina Gomes and Ryan Collins, prominently featuring the artwork of Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe members. An accompanying coloring book sharing the tribe’s history and illustrated by tribe member and artist Quincy Harding has been made possible in large part through a grant from the Boston Foundation’s Culture and Identity Narrative Program to the Community Art Collaborative.
This installation would not be possible without a private donation of materials and the generous donation of a Wi-Fi hotspot, books, seeds, and other supplies from the Plymouth Public Library. Kelsey Casey, Plymouth Librarian, shared her excitement about the project, stating that “This project represents the Plymouth Public Library’s commitment to fostering a love of reading and learning in our community, while also providing much-needed resources for those in need. By combining technology and literature with the fundamental need for nourishment, we hope to create a space that is not only a hub for education and community building but also a symbol of our tribe’s resilience and generosity. We are grateful to all of the community that came and enjoy this new addition to the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe’s resources.”
Chairwoman Melissa Ferretti expressed gratitude to the Community Art Collaborative, Plymouth Public Library, and Boston Foundation for their continued support, and stated that “The Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe is deeply grateful for the ongoing friendship and support of the Community Art Collaborative, Plymouth Public Library, and Boston Foundation. As a Tribal community located at the heart of Plymouth, we are honored and delighted to collaborate on another grassroots, community-led project. Our efforts to restore and nourish kinship bonds and strengthen intertribal and local connections with our neighbors are vital to our tribe and the wider community. We are thrilled to see this project unveiled and to offer it as an extension of our newly organized HPWT Food Sovereignty Program, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on our community.”
The Tiny Library installation is a shining example of how art, community, and innovation can come together to create inclusive and welcoming spaces for all citizens.
http://www.communityartcollaborative.org
http://www.herringpondtribe.org
http://www.plymouthpubliclibrary.org
THIRD SWITCH STUDIOS 
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