The Graffiti Alley in Cambridge is one of two of the only legal areas where artists can post their work on public display in the Greater Boston area. The 80-foot walkway is located on Richard B. “Rico” Modica Way at 565-567 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge. You can get there by taking the MBTA Red Line train to Central Square, then walking about a minute down the street and turning left down to the alley.
The public walkway is a popular place for both rookie artists to begin their work and get their name out there and for more experienced artists to put up some of their best work. Since its creation in 2007 by local artists Geoff Hargadon and Rob Mariano, owners of both the restaurant and brick-and-mortar that make up the walls of the alley, the wall has displayed many visual interpretations of social issues and the latest headlines. At the beginning, the two invited 30 artists from as far as Canada to display their artistic talents. Since then, artists from all over the area and even further have come in to show off their work, including famous artists such as Shepard Fairey, Momo, and Enzo & Nio.
As for when you can go, there are no time slots or any sign-ups—you can just take the train and go with either your own tools to display your talents or take pictures. I personally have gone there with friends a few times now, and each time seeing the new art that is being put up almost daily was amazing to see. Since the wall is open to the public,many pieces of work may be covered up with something new—so if you would like to see a specific piece that you may see online, then I would recommend going as soon as possible. But to me, that is part of the idea behind the alley: it shows the changes and differences in the way people express themselves with art.
Some of the art in the alley-way. THOMAS TIERNEY 
Dwayne Saintvil posing infront of more art. THOMAS TIERNEY 
More of the creative art by some of the world’s best artists. THOMAS TIERNEY 
Dwayne Saintvil with some of the many pieces of work on the walls. THOMAS TIERNEY 
Some of the art, dedicated to a loved one. THOMAS TIERNEY
The many different pieces all have different meanings behind them, whether they were for someone or made just for fun. If you plan to go and put your own art up, then the only rule given is that you stop painting when the Brick & Mortar is open. As of now, those hours are Wednesday to Saturday, from 5 pm to 1 am.
Since 2020, the alley has seen many current issues in the world portrayed on its walls. During the Black Lives Matter protests, the walls saw many murals and different pieces of work displayed.
Chadwick Boseman has been the most recent figure displayed on the wall, featuring a large mural honoring him and the impact that he had on the nation. The Black Panther actor passed away in August of 2020 from colon cancer, and his death shocked the world as many did not know that he was even sick with cancer. To this day, his influence lives on and has been shown around the world.
The walls have also shown other major figures in our world today like Martin Luther King Jr., as well as Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
Overall, the Cambridge Alley is a great way for artists to come together and express their work and influence newer artists to get started and get their name out there.
