Children arriving at Boston Children’s Hospital for treatment come from all over the world. They speak a multitude of languages and they are culturally diverse. The International Animals Mural was created with these children in mind. The 15’ x 8’ artwork features the world’s continents and the wonderful animals that make this world their home. The animals are crafted of birch plywood cut by a laser in the outward shape of the animal, painted and mounted on MDF cut in the shape of the continents. The mural is very touch-able, a delight for children with visual challenges. There are no borders or countries, illustrating a one-world concept. It is currently housed in the Clinical and Transitional Studies Unit (CTSU) at Children’s Hospital Boston.

Detail of the International Animals Mural. Sections of Africa, Europe and Asia are shown with Arctic Fox, Puffin, Moose, Bear, Prezwalski’s Horse, a Lion, a Kite, a Snow Leopard, a peacock, an Orex and a Yak are shown.

In 2016, The Celebrity Series of Boston hosted Luke Jerram’s innovative public art program, Street Pianos - Play Me, I’m Yours, all around metropolitan Boston. Dawn was selected as one of the participating artists, and was struggling whether to design her piano to feature the rainforest or whimsical penguins. She went to a source of inspiration - children that she teaches in summer art programs. When asked which design they would prefer, one little girl asked, “How about penguins visiting the rainforest?” The idea proved to be brilliant with an amusing variety of species of penguins engaging in eco-tourism in the disappearing Amazon rainforest. The piano was displayed in front of Boston Children’s Museum and at the end of the exhibition was donated as a permanent part of their collection. Dawn’s band, Perfect Crime, performed an “Unplugged” set of classic rock at the piano, among other music performances. Photo by Robert Torres.

Over 1,000 reference images were taken at Fenway Park in the creations of this temporary public art piece for the Cow Parade Boston in 2006. Dawn created 5 cows for Cows on Parade 2006. At the end of the installation, all cows were auctioned for The Jimmy Fund to benefit children with cancer.

Emmy the Emerald Necklace Cow was created for Boston Cow Parade in 2006. She featured a map of Frederick Law Olmstead’s famed “Emerald Necklace” of interconnected greenspaces around Boston. It was exhibited at the Boston Copley Marriot. This cow featured an emerald necklace and earrings with Swarovski crystals, of course.

Patches, the Community Quilt Cow was one of 5 cows Dawn created for the Cow Parade Boston in 2006. Patches was displayed at the Boston Public Library for the duration of the public art exhibit. She was painted with the assistance of students from the Watertown Middle School learning about public art. Her colorful quilt pattern was lettered with “Children are the Fabric of a Community” on her side, and was sponsored and purchased by Cumberland Farms where she resides in their corporate facility.

Coral the Ocean Reef Cow was one of 5 cows created by Dawn for Boston Cows on Parade in 2006. The cow was displayed at the New England Aquarium for the duration of the exhibit. Her colorful coat featured many specimens of the New England Aquarium, including a cowfish, of course!

The city of Dedham, Mass. decided to create a public art project featuring rabbits to benefit the Mother Brook Arts Center. Rabbits were chosen because of the historic Dedham Pottery of which each piece featured a cobalt blue rabbit as an identifying trademark. Dawn chose one of Dedham’s celebrated citizens, Pete Hamilton, winner of the 1970 Daytona 500 race, and his legendary car, the #40 Plymouth Superbird. The bright blue color, big spoiler, checkered flag ears and whimsical sponsor logos, including “Good Ears” tires, made this piece a favorite of the exhibition. It was displayed on Route 1, near the location of local raceways and the “Automile” of multiple car dealerships.

This rocking chair was created for the Logan International Airport’s Art Rocks! Exhibition. This chair features book titles that take place in or feature history, characters or events in Massachusetts. Among the over 30 titles for readers of all ages are Make Way for Ducklings, Johnny Tremain, Little Women and Boston’s own Mother Goose. The chair remains on display in the “Kidport” play area located in Terminal A.