Jukebox creates a center point for gathering, listening, and sharing our stories.
The Jukebox Nook located at Cambridge Foundry
About Jukebox
The Foundry Jukebox is a vintage 1960 Seeburg jukebox that has been re-made into a growing archive of Cambridge community stories.
Old jukeboxes were coin-operated music-players that existed in ordinary spaces such as diners and laundromats. They made music accessible to people from all walks of life, inviting anyone to gather around to listen and enjoy something special together.
Jukebox, a public art project created by Elisa H. Hamilton, transforms an original 1960 Seeburg jukebox from a machine that plays music to a machine that plays community stories. The tracks on the jukebox represent a handful of the rich perspectives, backgrounds, and stories of Cambridge community members. All of the tracks on the jukebox are available to listen to right here on the Jukebox website.
Hamilton was commissioned by the Cambridge Arts Council, City of Cambridge, as part of the Percent-for-Art Ordinance, to create a public art project responsive to the new Cambridge Foundry. Jukebox joins over 200 other works of public art in the City’s public art collection. Visit www.cambridgeartscouncil.org for more information.
From Left to Right: Elisa Hamilton, Jukebox Creator, Alyssa Pacy, Archivist at Cambridge Public Library, and Chanda Harrington of The Cambridge Black History Project.
54 of the 100 Jukebox stories were recorded in partnership with the Cambridge Black History Project, an all-volunteer organization committed to researching, accurately documenting, preserving, and illuminating the journeys, accomplishments, and challenges of Black Cantabrigians.
In addition, the recorded stories of Jukebox are part of the Archives and Special Collections in the Cambridge Room at the Cambridge Public Library.
Jukebox would not be possible without the skill and care of all of its extraordinary collaborators. So many organizations and collaborators are owed our deepest gratitude. Thank you to Cambridge Arts Council, Cambridge Foundry, Cambridge Black History Project, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge Historical Commission, The Loop Lab, Garnick’s Records, Good Good, Loki Custom Furniture, Azevedo Audio, Rachel Devorah, and ArtVigor for all of their support, hard work and important contributions to this project!
Critical support was provided by Karen Shanley who developed Jukebox’s visual identity and created the 100 Jukebox album covers, and by Matthew Azevedo, who designed, developed, and built the computer at the heart of the Jukebox.
But most of all, thank you to the story sharers - the Cambridge community members who so generously and bravely allowed us the privilege of recording their powerful stories to share and preserve through Jukebox. These incredibly special folks and their stories are the heart and the purpose of this project. Just listen to their stories, and you will understand.
About the Cambridge Foundry
The Foundry located at 101 Rogers Street, Cambridge, MA.
Jukebox is the the permanent public artwork for the Cambridge Foundry. The Foundry is a self-sustaining center of creativity and collaboration in the Kendall Square neighborhood offering the Cambridge community opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. At 50,000 square feet with a 4,000 square foot exterior, the Foundry provides space and programs for the arts (visual and performing), crafts, technology, entrepreneurship, workforce education, and community activities.
Visit www.cambridgefoundry.org to learn more.
Jukebox Mission Statement
Jukebox is grounded in the belief that by sharing our stories, we create an entrypoint to a greater understanding of ourselves and one another. Through the jukebox located at the Cambridge Foundry, combined with community-centered programming, and this website that provides worldwide listening to each unique jukebox story, Jukebox is:
A centerpoint within the Cambridge community for listening to and connecting with one another through the sharing of our stories
A platform that amplifies community stories, especially the voices and stories of underrepresented community groups, with the intentional inclusion BIPOC individuals.
A powerful archive of community stories that represents some of the many diverse lived experiences, backgrounds and perspectives of Cambridge community members.
Jukebox in the News
“Voices, not vinyl: Artist transforms a jukebox into a storytelling machine” WBUR Artery
“Inside a repurposed jukebox at The Foundry in Cambridge, stories told by locals are waiting to be played” The Boston Globe
“The Foundry, a new makerspace in an old building” The Boston Globe
"Building a Jukebox to Connect Community with the Media Arts and AV," AVIXA
“Public Artwork Picked for Cambridge's Foundry” Cambridge Arts Council
"Community Jukebox Chosen as Public Artwork for the Foundry," Cambridge Scout
Photo by Kate Preftakes Photography
About the Artist
Jukebox creator Elisa H. Hamilton is a socially engaged multimedia artist who creates artworks and community-centered programs that emphasize bringing people together in hopeful examination of our everyday places, objects, and experiences. Is a 2023 Brother Thomas Fellow and has been recognized by the WBUR as one of 25 artists of color transforming the cultural landscape.
You can learn more about Elisa and her work at www.ElisaHHamilton.com.
