Boston Big Head is the community project gathered around Eternal Presence — John Wilson's monumental sculpture outside the National Center of Afro-American Artists in Roxbury. Spearheaded by the Notable Roxburian Society, its mission is to ensure the rich cultural and historical significance of this monument is never forgotten.
Boston Big Head is a project founded by Dr. Muhammed of Nubian Square, under the Visit Nubian Square umbrella. It keeps its own name, its own profile, and its own mailbox — bostonbighead@gmail.com — and it is centered on the Eternal Presence monument at the National Center of Afro-American Artists, 300 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury.
Dr. Ali ABY Muhammed, the project's founder, is the installer of the revised plaque honoring the Eternal Presence monument. The plaques around the monument, placed by the Notable Roxburian Society, do not just mark a location — they tell a story, sharing Roxbury's history and its connection to the Boston Bighead.
Curator / Executive Director, Boston Bighead Community, Roxbury, MA — founder of the Boston Big Head project and of Visit Nubian Square, LLC.
The National Center of Afro-American Artists (NCAAA), 300 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury — the center Elma Lewis founded; Eternal Presence stands outside its museum.
Whether you are a longtime resident or new to the neighborhood, understanding the history of the Boston Bighead is a way of connecting to the soul of Roxbury. Stop by, take a photo, and become part of the living history unfolding around this monumental work of art.
Wilson began developing Eternal Presence in the 1970s and received a commission in 1982 to create it for the National Center of Afro-American Art in Roxbury, installing it in 1987. The sculpture was inspired by the large stone Buddha sculptures at the MFA and the Olmec heads he saw in Mexico.
Eternal Presence is a study for the full-size, seven-foot-tall sculpture which stands outside the National Center of Afro-American Artists in Roxbury, Boston. Designed as a tribute to the history of Black people in Massachusetts, this idealized head has what Wilson described as “a symbolic black presence infused with a sense of universal humanity.”
Big Head Cleaning — Saturday, August 8, 2026
Care for a legacy. Clean for our community. Join neighbors, youth, artists, and community leaders as we come together to clean and care for John Wilson's Eternal Presence — 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at 300 Walnut Ave, Boston, MA 02119, hosted by the Boston Big Head Community and Visit Nubian Square. All are welcome; families, youth, and community members are encouraged. Please bring if you can: gloves, soft brushes, buckets, microfiber cloths, trash bags, water.
Eternal Presence — the Boston Bighead promo film (September 13, 2024).
Dr. Ali ABY Muhammed
Project Manager · Boston Big Head
Tel: 857-800-6078 · Email: bostonbighead@gmail.com
300 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury, MA 02119
The Boston Bighead, created by renowned Roxbury sculptor John Wilson, is more than just an art piece — it is a symbol of the community's rich history and resilience. Through the plaques installed around the monument, and through community events and discussions, the Boston Bighead Community keeps the spirit of Roxbury's Eternal Presence alive for future generations.
The Big Head Festival is the annual celebration of Eternal Presence at the National Center of Afro-American Artists. The festival is documented back to at least the 2nd Annual in August 2014. The 9th Annual was held on the Juneteenth weekend in 2021, presented by The Boston Juneteenth Committee with the National Center of Afro-American Artists — and the 11th Annual, “The City That Sways Together, Stays Together,” filled the Museum of the NCAAA on Saturday, September 23rd, 2023, from 1pm till dusk.
Boston Bighead is more than just a food vendor. We are dedicated to bringing our customers the best food experience by offering a diverse range of quality menu items and a unique atmosphere to enjoy them in. Food is not just about taste — it brings people together and creates a sense of community. That's why we pride ourselves on our vendor opportunities, where we work with local businesses, schools, and organizations to provide a memorable experience for their events.
The Boston Bighead “Eternal Presence” community festival is an opportunity for anyone who loves music and fun to come together and experience something truly special. Our festival is dedicated to bringing exciting and innovative artists to the stage — join us for a weekend that you won't forget!
Celebrating the life, legacy, and 100th year of Miss Elma Lewis — a monthly live video podcast series launched on her birthday, September 15, 2021, presented by Barry Gaither, Director at the NCAAA Museum.
Elma Ina Lewis was an American arts educator and the founder of the National Center of Afro-American Artists and The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts. She was one of the first recipients of a MacArthur Fellows Grant, in 1981, and received a Presidential Medal for the Arts by President Ronald Reagan in 1983. Born: September 15, 1921, Boston, MA. Died: January 1, 2004, Boston, MA.
