Artist Spotlight: Savonne Pickett

For Savonne Pickett, creativity has always been second nature. “As a child I always had a notebook and a pen. All I would do was draw,” she recalls. Inspired by talented family members and driven by a sense of curiosity that began around age six, her art journey has been ongoing ever since.

Her artistic style is constantly evolving. She describes it as “evolving scientific abstraction” and finds joy in experimenting with different materials—markers, paint, colored pencils, collage. “Being experimental is something that keeps my brain going,” she says. “I love learning and am very curious when it comes to testing my limits and skills.”

Painting for public spaces is a relatively new experience, one that has required her to approach the process with more planning than she typically would for gallery work. “A lot of public art has a specific set of rules to follow, so I take that into account,” she explains. When creating her catch basin mural, she began with the overall message of the project: raising awareness about the importance of keeping water clean.

Drawing on reflections from a sustainability class she took in college, Savonne revisited the importance of the Water Cycle. “I wanted to relay the message as simply as possible so even children may question it, which is why I approached this mural with a ‘child-like’ style,” she shares.

Working outdoors, especially on the ground, brought its own set of challenges. “It can be very tedious, especially with dirt and debris getting in the way,” she says. But the experience of interacting with the community made it all worth it. Local residents in the Webster Square neighborhood stopped to express their gratitude. “They thanked us for bringing more life into the neighborhood,” she says. The most meaningful feedback came from children. “The youth should be witnessing the act of creativity in real time to show that they have options to express themselves.”

Her journey as an artist has included many phases. When she first began painting in 2014, Savonne had just started her spiritual journey. “Most of my work was focused around uplifting people to become higher versions of themselves, combat on systematic brainwashing of the people, and just whatever I was learning about from spirituality,” she says. In later years, her art became a deeply personal outlet for processing difficult emotions, though at times it felt challenging to share that work with others. Now, at 23, her approach is more open and balanced. “I do not let my mind get the best of me and paint freely about my feelings, a belief I may have, or even important worldly issues.”

For Savonne, public art is essential. “It is extremely important to have art in public spaces because as fun as Worcester can get, I believe we still have ways to go to be recognized for our art like other cities do,” she says. “I say we paint the whole city until it is the most colorful in the world!”

When asked for advice for aspiring artists, her passion shines through. “Being an artist isn’t just about putting a picture onto a surface,” she says. “It is about putting in the work to make the unseen a reality. It is about creation and being innovative, using your brain to craft a pathway to uplift yourself and others. We as human beings only project what we are, and what we are is art.”

“Keep the Water Clean” was created in collaboration with Worcester Green Corps, Sharinna Travieso, and the Worcester DPW. It is proudly supported by the Mass Cultural Council, the New England Grassroots Fund, and the FY25 State Earmark, allocated by Senator Mike Moore.

Next time you spot “Keep the Water Clean,” take a moment to reflect—not just on clean water, but on the power of creativity and community.

Follow Savonne’s work on:

• Link
• Instagram

Catch Basin Murals