A free public experience centering wigs, alopecia, identity & the women who wear them through art, storytelling and live education.

Presented by Lace Layer during Alopecia Awareness Month, The Install is a free Boston experience bringing together wig education, alopecia and hair-loss awareness, portrait storytelling, wellness and community.

Join us September 19, 2026 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Civic Pavilion at Boston City Hall Plaza for an afternoon centered on wigs, identity, artistry and the women who wear them.

For many women, a wig is more than hair. It can be part of navigating hair loss, an expression of identity, a source of confidence, a form of creativity or simply a personal choice.

The Install puts the women and their stories at the center.

Seven Women. Seven Portraits. Seven Stories.

At the heart of The Install is an original portrait exhibition featuring seven local women, each with her own relationship to wigs, hair loss, identity and confidence.

Photographed in their wigs and presented alongside their personal stories, the exhibition invites guests to see the woman behind the install and the experiences that aren't always visible.

The Install Portrait Exhibition + Gallery Experience is created and curated by Arlene Baldwin, with photography by Samuel “Borii” Adewale.

Conversations, Wellness and Live Artistry

The Install Conversation brings together Wonder R. Hollingsworth, Dianne Austin, Pamela Shaddock, Danielle Johnson and moderator Arlene Baldwin for a candid conversation about alopecia, medical hair loss, wig wearing, identity, advocacy and representation.

Dr. Lucy Lomas will lead Caring for You: A Conversation on Self-Care and Wellness, exploring emotional wellness and caring for yourself while navigating hair loss.

Then, watch a live wig installation with Sammie Marie of Thehairrpluggg, featuring the Lace Layer Install System. See the installation process from start to finish, learn application and lace-melting techniques, and bring your wig questions.

What You'll Experience

• Seven portraits and the real stories behind them
• Live conversations about alopecia, hair loss, identity and wellness
• A live wig installation and education
• FREE WIG GIVEAWAYS and other giveaways
• Hair-loss and community resources
• Food, drinks and mocktails
• Opportunities to connect, ask questions and take photos

Whether you wear wigs because of alopecia, medical hair loss, protective styling, convenience, fashion or simply because you love them, The Install is a space to learn, connect and see the many experiences behind wig wearing represented.

RSVP

RSVPs are encouraged to receive event updates and help us plan for attendance.

The Install is a free, unticketed event open to the public. An Eventbrite RSVP is not required for admission and does not guarantee entry. Admission is first come, first served, so guests are encouraged to arrive early.

RSVP for the event

This event is part of a City Hall Plaza Event Series supported by the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture.

Do you love clothes with soul, immersive art, skilled classes, and community?

Join us for Boston’s largest-ever clothing swap, where you’ll update your fall wardrobe with special finds curated by your neighbors. Bring your favorite clothes with holes that need patching or stains that we can cover with silk screen printed logos and plant dyes to bring your favorite fits back to life.

We’ll have amazing snacks, legendary speakers, live artists and exhibitions, and opportunities to meet new people who share your passion for fashion and a livable future.

Fun for all ages and stages, including kiddos - and calm, leashed companion animals.

Beginning at noon until 2pm, our attendees will be welcomed to mix and mingle as they bring up to five pieces of clothing they love and want to give away to the exchange (in addition to a few items they want to rejuvenate). Our stations for plant dying, silk screen printing, repairs, and a bioplastic jewelry-making table will be up and running.

Attendees are welcome to take away as many articles of clothing as they want!

From 3pm - 6pm, our attendees are welcome to join interactive presentations about the future of sustainable fashion, biotechnology with mushrooms and fruit leathers, and revolutionary textile solutions to keep our city cool in the future. All of our stations will be buzzing as you enjoy live artists painting, view original exhibitions by local artists, and of course find and fix your new favorite clothes

Bring a friend or two and please reserve your spot here to let us know you're joining and to sign up for notifications of similar events near you in the future.

Please feel free to join anytime and depart anytime as it useful for you.

This event is part of a City Hall Plaza Event Series supported by the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture.

The Art Walk Project and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture invite you to take a walk and experience Boston's iconic City Hall Plaza through a new lens. Join us as we explore some of the incredible pieces of art that reflect on our history, the creative landscape of our city, and help make this a dynamic public space.

This event is supported by the City Hall Plaza Engagement Grant from the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture.

The Art Walk Project and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture invite you to take a walk and experience Boston's iconic City Hall Plaza through a new lens. Join us as we explore some of the incredible pieces of art that reflect on our history, the creative landscape of our city, and help make this a dynamic public space.

This event is supported by the City Hall Plaza Engagement Grant from the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture.

Please join us for the closing celebration of our current exhibitions centered on environmental issues. The event will feature a panel about art and climate change in Boston, and will also begin with a guided water ritual meditation led by Faith Johnson.

Panelists:

• Lani Asuncion (Artist)
• Sarah Slavick (Artist)
• Lisa McCarty (Artist)
• Catherine McCandless (Senior Climate Resilience Project Manager, City of Boston)
• Hessann Farooqi (Executive Director, Boston Climate Action Network)

You won’t want to miss this FREE day-long celebration of poetry including workshops, featured speakers, and a slam poetry contest where you’ll have the chance to win a publishing deal.

Learn more and register

Boston Urban Wilds: Celebrating 50 Years of Conservation and Community is now on view at the Mayor's Neighborhood Gallery (2nd floor) in Boston City Hall. Through photographs by Lisa McCarty, this exhibition highlights unique environments that have been protected by the Boston Urban Wilds program, as well as the people who care for and commune with these wilds. Don't miss your chance to discover these spaces and connect with the artist!

Directions: Please use the entrance located on Congress St, across from Faneuil Hall. Pass security and take the elevators to the 2nd floor.

This exhibition is organized in partnership with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Boston Environment Department, and is on view now through August 14, 2026. For more information please visit the City Hall Gallaries page.