2026 Public Space Invitational: Colorful Corners

Background

Since 2014, MONUM’s Public Space Invitational (PSI) has hosted a design competition for Urban Designers in the community to receive city funding to design and implement small-scale (but fun!) innovative ideas in Boston’s public spaces. The goal of the Colorful Corners 2026 Public Space Invitational is to make our streets and intersections safer while also making our neighborhoods more vibrant and delightful.

Colorful Corners asked designers to create and submit new, original 2D street mural designs. Winning designs will be used to paint on no-parking areas at city streets at various intersections and crosswalks in the City of Boston, including school-adjacent intersections. Learn more about the selected designs below!

Selected Designs

Designer: Colomba Klenner

Whales

Whales have a rich history in Massachusetts. They represent deep wisdom, harmony, and safe navigation. While we don't often commute through the water anymore, the safety of car navigation is important. My goal with this design was to bring this beautiful native animal to MA and to extrapolate its symbolism into a literal safe space through art. 

Looking at the Charles Under the Sun 

One of my very favorite recurring moments in Boston is crossing the Charles. Whether by car, on the T, or even on foot, looking at the Charles under the sun is a magical moment. The sunglint always makes me smile, and I wanted to represent it abstractly. 

Slow Down 

Slow Down is based on the idea of cars physically slowing down, with colorful art used to make these areas safer for kids. I wanted to represent that a fish pond generally symbolizes a place to ponder and reflect on tranquility.

Find Colomba on Instagram @mysticlovestudio and on the web colombaklenner.com.

Designer: Kate Collins

Gingko Leaves

The thought behind Gingko Leaves is two-fold - my neighborhood of Chinatown has been very vocal about having the worst air pollution in the city, as well as the least amount of green space - we continue to advocate for improvements, and I wanted part of the design to shine a light on our continued advocacy for more green space to combat the air pollution in Chinatown. The second part is that the gingko tree originates from China, Japan, and Korea, representing the diverse Asian backgrounds we have in Chinatown, and it symbolizes longevity and resilience, reflecting Chinatown's history as a Boston neighborhood.

Find Kate on Instagram @kate___collins 

Designer: Rosa Herrero

A Rainbow-Like Moment

We created 'A Street Rainbow-Like Moment' to bring magic to the gray parts of our city. These bright colors give people of all ages a reason to smile when they least expect it, like real rainbows. Because corners are where our paths cross, we’re making them friendly, joyful, colorful spaces that make the neighborhood feel special for everyone.

Find Rosa on Linkedin

Designer: thecollab

Belonging

thecollab is the coming together of artist-educators and longtime friends, Jaimie & Kate. In our work, we consider ourselves creative problem solvers, using color, shape, and texture as abstract storytelling tools on a variety of surfaces. We are focused on crafting unique, engaging spaces, experiences, and goods that invoke energy, joy, and community

For this design, we explored traditional geometric motifs paired with bold hues placed in energetic patterns. Our work provides an uplifting visual experience that sparks joy and a sense of play and wonder.

Find thecollab on Instagram @__thecollab