Newton Centre Piano Destroyed On Purpose, Sort Of

NEWTON, MA — On Sept. 24, Newton residents found the piano in Newton Center - on of nine painted pianos in village centers as part of a summer art and culture installation around the city, was destroyed.

But the pile of wood and art that was left behind in Newton Center was part of the plan for that piano, said Maria Arvelo who was the chairperson for the Artful Piano project in the city just finishing up its second year.

"The first time we put the pianos out last year, we were very nervous about vandalizing. The first day passed and we waited: No vandalism. Then the second and the third. We were so happy and proud that the community took care of those pianos," she told Patch.

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Last year the group did find that someone did draw something tiny on the piano placed in Newton Centre, but they had the artist come and retouch the art on the piano and that was the only instance of vandalism the pianos had that year.

"This year we haven't had any instances of vandalism," said Arvelo. "This city is amazing."

This donated piano has been out since April 29, decorated by a volunteer artist and, like the other eight pianos that have become pieces of art and placed around the city, has a host team taking care of it. The Newton Centre piano was watched over by Newtonville Books. It was their job to make sure the piano was covered with a tarp when it rained and taken care of.

Any piano gets deteriorated with time, and pianos that are set outside for months have a short life-span

Initially the plan was that the pianos might stay out for a little more than a month, four or five weeks. But Arvelo and her team realized that the more the hosts care for the piano, the longer they can remain out for the community to enjoy.

The ideal scenario, said Alvaro, is that if at the end of their time out in the open the pianos can be donated. This year, for example they donated the piano in Wabban to a Boys and Girls Club in Boston. Another in West Newton was also donated.

But for the ones who stay out beyond their usability, are offered first to the artist who donated supplies and time to paint on the pianos, and then to the host. In the case of the Newton Centre piano the artist disassembled the piano to use for parts for a future project. Anything left will get recycled.

"It was not vandalized it's going to just have a different type of use. Some parts will be used for other things," she said.

The first time last year when the piano lover herself realized they'd have to disassemble a piano for recycling, it crushed her, said Alvaro.

"I was like, 'how can we trash my baby,'" she said. But then she realized that the piano had had a good life of beauty and bringing together the community. The promise of bringing the project back next year gives her heart.

"In two short years it's really become something really dear to the city," she said. "We really have to be proud to be in this city. No vandalism!" she says with obvious joy.

The other thing that makes her heart flutter?

"This project involves everyone. It's really beautiful how everyone comes together and the result is that something that brings so much joy. It's fantastic," she said.

Now that the Newton Centre piano has been taken away, there's only one piano left: The one in Newton Upperfalls. No word on the future of that one, yet.

***

A photo tweeted out by @NewtonCentre appears to show some teens and a police officer looking at the ruins of said piano, but all is not what it seems. Alvaro got a number of emails asking her about what was happening.

"I loved that people notice and people care," said Alvaro.

And just for fun:

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Photo of Newton Centre by Jenna Fisher/ Patch