Our postcard images

We've chosen the three postcards we'll produce for 2010: an illustration of Medford Square by Laura Dorson, a photo of the John Hand Footbridge over the Mystic River by Lauren DiLorenzo, and a photo of the McGlynn School playground by Paul Marotta.

The Medford Arts Council received more than 60 images in response to our call for art featuring images of Medford. Amateur and professional artists submitted photographs, paintings, illustrations, woodcuts, and digital collages. The Medford Transcript hosted an online gallery and poll showcasing 19 of the images, and over 200 people voted for their favorites. At our May 12 meeting, we selected the final three images to turn into postcards, and they were unveiled at our reception on Sunday.

Illustration of Medford Square by Laura Dorson



Laura Dorson is a local graphic designer and illustrator. This image highlights the familiar turret and curving facade of the Bigelow Block building in the middle of Medford Square. The Bigelow Block was built in 1886 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Laura describes the illustration as "hand-done, if that can be said of digital art." The image has a cheerful mid-century vibe.

Photo of the John Hand Footbridge by Lauren DiLorenzo



Lauren DiLorenzo is Medford's Director of Community Development. She considers herself an amateur photographer, although she took her first photography class over 25 years ago. The John Hand Footbridge is photographed here from the Cradock Bridge the morning after a snow and ice storm. Also known as the Medford Pipe Bridge, the footbridge was constructed in 1897 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Lauren says, "This vista is my favorite in Medford. Usually I like the image of the rear of the buildings, their colors, styles and the fading lettering, but on this day, the color and reflection of the bridge and the snowy embankment of the Mystic River are what captured the eye."

Photo of the McGlynn School playground by Paul Marotta



Paul Marotta is a photographer and publicist who grew up in Medford and recently returned to the area. Paul took this striking photograph at the McGlynn School playground, which was designed and built as part of the McGlynn School complex completed in 2001. The wall follows the design at this playground showing the historic contours of the Mystic River from before the river was redirected for construction of the Amelia Earhart Dam and the Route 16 off-ramp. Paul Marotta's photography is represented by Getty Images Worldwide. More of his work can be seen at www.perfectbokehphotography.com.

We'll be printing these postcards in July. 14,000 of the postcards will be distributed to Medford residents for free as an insert in their July water bills, thanks to Mayor McGlynn and funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.