About

What work happens in the background of a community to keep it functioning?

Who does that work?

How can the work and workers be recognized and valued?

This project puts faces to the hundreds of Andover municipal employees who labor behind the scenes, often anonymously.

“Andover At Work” recognizes these workers and facilitates dialog around the value of their work and how we sustain our selves as a community.

This volunteer project began at the end of 2023. I had unfettered behind-the-scenes access to Town workers on the job. I embedded myself into their environments and shared their day-to-day experiences. I rode along with fire and police, joined highway department crews on road projects, accompanied meals-on-wheels deliveries, observed vehicle maintenance crews service engines and watched staff serving customers at the town clerk’s office.  

Over multiple visits, I learned the personalities of the people and the rhythms of their jobs. I built trust that I could do my job without interfering with theirs and would represent them with honesty and authenticity. I admire their integrity, dedication and skills. The project recognizes people and occupations rarely shown in full light and offers the unique perspective that I was privileged to experience.