Among the benefits of working at Teak and with its nonprofit clients are the great summer outing ideas we encounter each week. Many of their events celebrate the region’s rich history and natural beauty.
Here are some great activities that are perfect for a summer adventure or day trip.
There are four new installations opening this month for Now + There, a nonprofit public art curator that grants Boston-based artists the funds necessary to open new temporary works of art in the neighborhoods of Boston. Amulet, by artist Rhea Vedro, is a bird-inspired sculptural workbench exploring the intersection of materiality and community that opened on July 13 at LoPresti Park in East Boston. Beam Me Down opened the same day at the LoPresti Park. It blends the qualities of an unidentified flying object (UFO) and a shell to play on the power and wonder of the unknown. Also in East Boston, We Belong opening July 20 at the East Boston Social Center, is an LED neon work that forms the text “We Belong, here, together, guided by the same stars” in an eight-foot circular sculptural art form with a constellation that maps and connects Boston’s neighborhoods. In addition to the above works, Summer Sets is a large-scale photographic image installation coming to Boston’s iconic Dock Square near Faneuil Hall on July 18.
The New England Aquarium in Downtown Boston is kicking off the summer on Central Wharf with extended hours, an outdoor public photography exhibition, the return of The Reef, the outdoor bar along Boston Harbor that had been closed due to the pandemic,, and three new films at the Simons Theatre. Keith Ellenbogen, acclaimed underwater photographer has a new, outdoor public photography exhibition, “Space to Sea: A Photographic Journey into Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.” In the exhibit he shares his exploration of the rich and surprising biodiversity of marine life off the Massachusetts coast—including great white sharks, humpback whales, sea turtles, and North Atlantic right whales. With one of the world’s most active marine sanctuaries just a short boat ride away from Boston, the New England Aquarium Whale Watch in partnership with Boston Harbor City Cruises offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see various species of whales, dolphins, sea birds, sharks, and other marine life.
Boston’s Old North Church and Historic Site is the perfect place to learn more about the city’s rich history, architecture, and culture. During the summer, the 298-year-old institution, that has ties to the American Revolution and the abolitionist movement, offers daily tours of the historic crypt and a new retail experience – featuring New England-made products from BIPOC and women-owned businesses – that highlights the stories behind the makers and their products. Old North Church’s crypt, which is lined with 37 brick tombs sealed with wooden or slate doors, is the final resting spot to 1,100 Bay State residents, including prominent colonial figures like Captain Samuel Nicholson, first commander of the USS Constitution, and Major John Pitcairn, the commander of the British marines who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Strangers Tomb is where forgotten generations, those whose bodies did not return home were laid to rest together.
Mill Town’s Bousquet Mountain may be known for its great skiing, but it is not just a winter destination. The mountain and its hiking trails on Mahanna Cobble are part of an extensive trail network enjoyed by hikers, bikers and view seekers all summer long. You can also hear some music at the mountain if you catch a show in the Bousquet Summer Concert Series featuring folk, rock, jazz, blues and more. There are also food options on site or you can stop by nearby Gateways and Mission for a bite to eat.
In recognition of Gloucester’s upcoming anniversary and to mark 400+ years of Gloucester history, the Cape Ann Museum has organized a special exhibition exploring the enduring legacy of the family-owned fishing boat. The exhibition, which includes fine art, models, and archival materials shared with the museum by over 45 families, will be on display at the Museum’s downtown campus through September. Intricate quilted works by Doris Elizabeth Prouty (1947-2020), a talented self-taught African American quilter who lived in Gloucester for 40 years, will be exhibited at Cape Ann Museum’s Janet & William Ellery James Center through July 31. Working in vibrant colors and incorporating an array of shapes and patterns, Prouty’s quilts are founded in the traditions of African quilt makers and vividly capture scenes and stories about her life and community on Cape Ann.
These are just a few of the great summer activities our clients have to offer. Our client roster and their events are constantly changing, so our website is a great resource if you are looking for nonprofits to support or those with free or low cost options for fun adventures and educational opportunities year-round.
