BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The Boca Raton Museum of Art and the City of Boca Raton’s Public Art Boca program have teamed up on a new initiative that turns personal memories into public art. The program, called Living Anthologies, is a free, 10-week memoir writing experience designed for adults 55 and older. It brings together 16 participants to explore personal storytelling through a blend of visual arts and literary writing, with support from the Boca Raton Public Library and Florida Atlantic University’s Creative Writing Department.
Every other week, participants will meet at the Boca Raton Museum of Art and use works from the museum’s permanent collection as prompts to inspire personal narratives. On alternating weeks, small groups will work directly with FAU Creative Writing graduate student mentors, who will offer feedback and help participants develop and polish their writing. By the end of the program, each participant will have produced a series of short nonfiction pieces drawn from their own life.
The program is built to reach beyond the workshop. Selected writings will be compiled into a published anthology available through the Boca Raton Public Library, and a commissioned artist will create a public art installation inspired by the anthology to be installed at the Downtown Library. A public reading celebrating the printed anthology is planned for November 10, with the art installation set to debut in early 2027. “Through Living Anthologies, storytelling becomes a form of public art,” said Veronica Hatch, the City’s Public Art Coordinator. “Residents carry lived histories that shape how we understand place, and this program will preserve and share those voices as part of our City’s cultural record.”
Participation is free, but space is limited to 16 spots and an application is required. The deadline is May 25. Applicants can register online or by calling 561-392-2500 ext. 209. A City-appointed panel will review submissions, with notifications going out May 29. No prior writing experience is needed. The program orientation is June 10, with sessions running Saturdays from June 13 through August 15. For more information on Public Art Boca, visit http://www.MyBoca.us/PublicArt.
