On Thursday evening I attended the Bled for Boston gallery opening at the Boston Center for Adult Education (BCAE). The exhibit features work by local photographer Chris Padgett.
In the weeks and months following the Boston Marathon bombings, Chris photographed individuals who got tattoos to honor, remember and show their city love for the city of Boston.
When you entered the lobby of the building, the computer that usually highlights the day's events was instead featuring a slideshow of Chris' beautiful images.
Photographs were displayed on both the first and second floor. Next to each tattoo photo there is a second photo of the person pictured and a blurb about his/her personal story and the reason he/she decided on that particular design. Each blurb also includes the name of the tattoo artist and the shop where he/she got inked.
I really like this one with two hands forming the shape of a heart over the Zakim bridge.
The photographs are showcased in groups that feature both color and black and white shots.
This man's tattoo honors both the Marathon bombing and 9/11.
I got goosebumps when I saw this next photo. In the center it says "First Responders" and along the outside it says, "We run toward danger."
This House of Blues bartender inked her neck with the Red Sox B.
In the far left corner of the first floor there is a group of three photos and the very first one (which features the Boston Marathon logo and the name Grace) has a story along with it that will make you well up.
That tattoo belongs to PJ and his story reads, "PJ was running the Boston Marathon. His wife Michelle was at home, pregnant with their daughter Grace. Had Michelle not been home, PJ's entire family would have been waiting for PJ at the Finish Line."
Next to PJ's photograph there are two pieces of art work (not created by Chris) that also share the Boston Strong theme. The one on the right in the white frame is by designer Aaron Bouvier, who also happens to work at my advertising agency.
Inside the ballroom there were a few groups of shots clustered together and the accompanying photos were of groups of women (instead of a solo portrait). Many of these women were the nurses either on the scene on Boylston Street or at the Boston hospitals where victims were rushed to be treated.
These ladies got Boston Strong tattoos with the symbol for RN, Registered Nurse.
Though the night was certainly heavy, there were some lighter moments, like discovering this couple who choose to make goofy faces for their portrait.
One of the last shots I saw on the first floor was of two women who had been inside the Forum restaurant during the bombings. They had written, "This special place, this state of grace." Chills.
As you walked up to the second floor, all of Chris' images were also being projected on the white wall of the stairwell. This photograph shows a man playing bag pipes with his Boston Strong ribbon tattoo on the outside of his arm.
At the top of the landing is a photo of the word "Strong" across the state of Massachusetts. This one is simple, but it's really beautiful.
In the top right corner of the hallway there is a trio of photos and the one in the center caught my eye immediately.
The woman pictured has one tattoo on each foot, one of the Prudential Tower and one of the iconic Citgo sign that lights up Kenmore Square every night.
In the center of the hallway was a photo and portrait of a man who honored both the cities of Boston and Watertown in his tattoo. As a Watertown resident who was majorly impacted by the events on that frightening Friday, this one really got to me.
Interestingly, one of the woman featured opted for a tattoo that was a spin on Aaron Bouvier's design. In this version she removed the heart over the sky line and added color. The Zakim bridge is blue and the Citgo sign is red.
The Boston Red Sox B was a popular symbol included in many of the tattoos, as was the blue and yellow ribbon.
This photograph highlights the tattoo of a man who works at Solas in the Lenox Hotel which became the police's evidence room the week after the bombings.
I absolutely love the t-shirt he is wearing which turns the triangle of the Citgo sign into a heart.
To celebrate the gallery opening, BCAE had live music. Even the musician's guitar had ink!
The BCAE staff also made a custom cocktail for the celebration called the Blue Tattoo. It was a tropical tasting potion that reminded me that spring and summer might actually be coming.
Before leaving the party, I had the pleasure of meeting the photographer, Chris, and thanking him for his powerful work. People often get tattoos to heal and this celebration of all those we remember, thank and support for their bravery heightened that healing to another level.
The Bled for Boston gallery will be up for the entire month of April at BCAE. You can visit Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 6:00pm. If you want to share photos on social media, the hashtag is #BledForBoston.
To support Chris and to continue to follow this incredible project, please like Bled for Boston on Facebook.
