N2 Innovation District, in partnership with Studios Without Walls and the New Art Center, have launched a fundraising campaign for “Beyond Boundaries,” an outdoor sculpture exhibition slated to open this summer on the Upper Falls Greenway in Newton.

The curated exhibit will feature up to 15 sculptures and conceptual art located along the one mile rail trail, which runs parallel to Needham Street in Newton. By joining the arts community with local residents and businesses, the N-Squared Innovation District Initiative aims to activate the greenway as a gathering point for everyone.

Using an online tool called Patronicity, the group aims to raise $11,000 to cover the costs of paying the artists, installing and maintaining the art, as well as promoting and celebrating the exhibit. The program already has significant backing from Northland Development Corp. and Crosspoint Associates, both of which own land adjacent to the Greenway. It also has backing from the Charles River Neighborhood Foundation, New Art Center and Newton-Needham Regional Chamber

“An innovation district relies on the happy accidents that happen when people come together. That’s why programs involving the arts are so important. They bring people together in a very natural way,” said N2 District Director Chuck Tanowitz. “We’re looking at this as a pilot program which will start this year and, we hope, can extend into additional arts programs throughout the N-Squared area.”

Showcasing Art Beyond Boundaries

Studios Without Walls organizes several shows of art in the landscape. This year’s theme is “Without Boundaries” and a version of the show is currently on display at the Riverway Park in Brookline through June 3. Some of the art on display there will be moved to the Upper Falls Greenway, but the Newton program will incorporate different pieces, many sourced from artists in Newton and Needham. Studios Without Walls has recently announced a call for artists and is reviewing submissions.

“This is the kind of community effort that we want to see in this neighborhood,” said Kent Gonzales, vice president of Northland Development Corp. “The Upper Falls Greenway is a great asset to the area and the local residents certainly understand its value. We hope that the exhibit can bring in others to show off the beauty and tranquility we have in this otherwise busy setting.”

Built on an abandoned railroad bed that once served the industrial mills in the area, the Upper Falls Greenway is a mile-plus linear park terminating at a scenic overlook of the Charles River. Development was a community effort that that resulted in the opening in 2016. The trail surface itself is rolled stone dust, a nice surface for walking and bicycling.

“The New Art Center is excited to partner with so many wonderful organizations and individuals to provide this extraordinary experience to the people of Newton and Needham,” said Dan Elias, executive director of the New Art Center. “Creative engagement with the environment is a principle that animates us, a value we share with all the partners in this project. Join in the fun!”

The fundraising effort extends through June 15 and the display is set to open on June 25.