I’ve been honored to work with the Beyond Walls team since before it was even known as Beyond Walls.

My personal, family story with Lynn started nearly a century ago as both of my Grandparents at one point lived in and around Central Square. My 97-year old grandmother had the chance to come back to her former home to tour the murals… even choosing Fonki’s piece as her personal favorite!
Today, challenges are presented in facing the COVID-19 pandemic head-on and the small team at Beyond Walls has gone above and beyond to pivot their work continuously during the pandemic to serve the community. First, they worked to support the immediate needs of area residents by designing and manufacturing “WaSH” stations throughout the downtown to provide hand sanitizing. Next, they designed and installed “FoLD,” outdoor barriers and lighting for local restaurants forced to expand food service to the outdoors to keep diners and the community safe. Both products were manufactured right here in Lynn, employing local Lynn Tech students to help in the manufacturing and assembly. As the demand for masks ramped up, Beyond Walls hired local seamstresses to help manufacture masks featuring the artwork on the walls around the city and distributed them to local residents, students and staff working on their latest art installations.
Our individual responses to COVID-19 has forced us all to pivot, adapt, and innovate and Beyond Walls response this year was no different, pivoting, adapting and innovating alongside the Lynn Community every step of the way.
Jonathan Berk
Jonathan is the New England Director of Patronicity, a platform that empowers local placemaking projects through crowdfunding, access to matching grants and hands-on project coaching.