On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff at Newton Community Pride, we are heartbroken that one of the pieces of artwork in our Newton Out Doors public art initiative was vandalized this week in Newton Centre.
The damage to Amanda Beard Garcia’s door, entitled “Por Por,” was brought to our attention early Wednesday morning, July 21. One of our Beautification Committee members tending to the Newton Centre garden discovered the damage at 7:30 AM. The Newton Police Department and Mayor’s office were notified and are investigating.
We at Newton Community Pride are terribly saddened and shocked by this destruction of a piece of public art. We are especially disappointed that damage would be done to Ms. Garcia’s work, which depicts and honors her deceased grandmother, or Por Por, as she was affectionally called. We as a community, collectively and individually, are better than this.
Although we have no knowledge of the motivation or intent of the vandals who defaced this piece of art, we abhor all ethnically or racially biased or motivated acts against our Asian neighbors, friends, and residents in the City of Newton. We stand with them in solidarity and support against this kind of behavior.
The Newton Police Department is still investigating this matter. If you have any information regarding this incident, or saw anything suspicious Tuesday evening around this piece of public art, please let the Newton Police Department know at 617-796-2100.
Gloria Gavris, Chair, Board of Directors
Meryl Kessler, Chair, Newton Out Doors Committee
