Where We Live  

By WGBHArts
Cindy Brockway, Cultural Resources Program Director for The Trustees of Reservations at Crane Estates, ponders the relationship between art and nature:
 
“I like to thing that extraordinary art is made exceptional by its juxtaposition to outstanding natural scenery. For me, great art is found in the interaction between the natural and the cultural, each inspiring and informing the other. A great work of landscape architecture can be humbled in the face of an incredible sunset, the birth of a Least Tern chick, or sunlight raking an old stone foundation. Similarly, some of our greatest landscape paintings celebrate the vicissitudes of the American landscape more dramatically that Mother Nature herself. It is this emotional and intellectual response to our surroundings that write newchapters in our emotions, shake our inner self, make us feel small, move us in awe, and encourage us to wander, and to wonder. At The Trustees, this is our journey.”

By Jared Bowen
A little town out in the sticks is experiencing a major increase in popularity due to its open spaces, history and community sentiment.

By Jaclyn Cashman
Its factories and diners have closed, but geography, cost and schools are making this commuter town a popular choice.

By Terry and Rick Palardy
Despite health challenges, Terry Palardy is living her retirement dream in the North Shore town where she and her husband have made toys and gifts since the '70s.

By Sarah Birnbaum
The amenities that have attracted biotech execs to Worcester are no accident: Starting 30 years ago, the city has been working to attract new industries. But will it be enough?

By Cristina Quinn
When people hear Burlington, often the first thing that comes to mind is the mall and Route 128. 

By Sean Corcoran
Emerging artists are attracted by the town's history and fellowships, but housing costs make it hard for them to stay. 

By WGBH News
Here we compile the complete coverage from the April 2011 installment of our Where We Live series: our features on towns and cities across the state, selected responses from listeners and readers, and some related stories that touch on community and economic life.

By Mickey Coburn
A resident of Beverly reflects on the changes he observed after living in the town during two different periods over several decades: " The city has history. Something sorely missing. Not sure what that is."

By Jared Bowen
An influx of Indian immigrants has helped bring economic growth to Ashland -- and led to an expansion of the town's Sri Lakshmi Temple.

By Ralph Ranalli
With thriving museums and new businesses opening downtown, it has the feel of a city on rise once again. But when you move away from the trendy cafes and art galleries, it’s clear the former whaling capital’s problems with jobs and education still run deep.

By Sean Corcoran
Chatham owes just about everything it has to the fact it's located on the ocean. From its architecture — which, in many cases was based on buildings sea captains would find in other areas of the world — to its culture and tourism, the sea has helped keep the community fiscally strong, including during this recent financial trouble.

By Phillip Martin
Long known as the city of Rocky Marciano, Brockton has been transformed from a small city anchored by mid-sized enterprises to a community dotted with numerous small businesses.

By Adam Reilly
The people who live and work in Lynn say the city doesn’t get the respect it deserves. And despite the recession, they’ve got ambitious plans for the future.