Art Project Brings New Life to Old Newspaper Boxes in Allston

In Allston, what's old is becoming new again. Old newspaper boxes are being repurposed to showcase local art and music, turning what was once neglected objects into dynamic public art displays.

The reimagined newspaper boxes are part of a project to make the arts more accessible to the residents of Allston. 

Eight aqua blue newspaper boxes scattered along Western Avenue have now been filled with posters created by local artists. You can buy one by inserting 25 cents into the box's coin slot, just like you would have done by purchasing a newspaper years ago. The poster program, Art in Print, is run by Zone3, a Harvard-backed public art initiative.

Since October 2018, Art in Print has featured the work of 236 local artists across various formats, including posters, holiday wrapping paper, and pop-up archives of past prints.

“For Art in Print, the goal has been to meet people where they are — on sidewalks, in coffee shops, at the library — and to spark connection through creativity,” Zone3 said in a statement shared with Boston.com. 

The newspaper boxes complement Zone3's public murals and artworks on construction fencing.

“These programs not only help artists build their careers, but they also energize the streetscape and provide a sense of place and belonging that benefits the entire community,” the group noted in a statement shared with Boston.com.

Currently, 12 new posters and artists are being showcased through the 21st volume of Art in Print. Work features notable artists such as Jamaal Bonnette, who explores the themes of love and compassion, and Julia Parr, who promotes environmental messages through Victorian-style animals.

In addition to art boxes, Allston's James F. Collins Square has become home to a “Little Free Record Shop.” Although the box now bears graffiti, the “Little Free Record Shop” contains classical music records and cassette tapes.