‘Andover at Work’ exhibit celebrates municipal work

MMA Innovation Award winner, From The Beacon, February 2026

A recent exhibition featuring photos of Andover town employees at work has sought to change how the public views municipal work and how the employees see themselves.

The town worked for more than a year with photographer David Whitney, a town resident, resulting in “Andover at Work.” The town granted extensive access to Whitney, who embedded with different town departments to capture the work of everyone from water and sewer workers and first responders to librarians and accountants, and made the largely unseen rhythms of municipal work visible to the public.

Town officials said the partnership with Whitney reflects the use of art as civic engagement, fostering civic pride and helping to build employee morale by publicly recognizing their value. Town Manager Andrew Flanagan said the exhibit has helped to humanize the services that residents receive.

“This project helps residents see and connect with the people who work every day to keep Andover running,” Flanagan said. “It strengthens the town’s mission by creating a stronger sense of connection between residents and the dedicated employees who deliver the services they count on. The project demonstrates the professionalism of the town’s workforce and the care and expertise that go into delivering services, which in turn builds greater confidence among residents in how their local government operates.”

Whitney’s interest in Andover employees as a subject grew out of his attendance in 2023 at a town Leadership Academy, when he decided to use photography to tell the story of the employees’ professionalism and commitment. He pitched the idea to the Leadership Academy organizers, who brought the idea to Flanagan.

While spending time with different departments, Whitney gained the trust of employees, learning their routines and capturing their work without being disruptive — an approach that allowed him to capture their work authentically.

“I wanted to show what the job was and give some insight into the person who was doing the job,” Whitney told the MMA last year.

The exhibit’s 130 black-and-white photos show Andover employees doing all kinds of work — responding to fires, repairing machinery, typing away in offices, working with seniors, shelving library books, and inspecting buildings.

The Andover Cultural Council supported the project by awarding a $3,000 grant toward the exhibit production and installation costs.

The exhibit ran last year at the town’s senior center and at the Memorial Hall Library, and endures in an online gallery. Photos from the exhibit were also featured on the town’s fiscal 2026 budget book, and some departments have displayed images in their offices and facilities.

“I think it is basic human nature that when people feel valued that they contribute differently to the overall culture of the organization and carry their pride through all aspects of their work,” Flanagan said. “For us, we have seen that pride show in the form of reliability, responsiveness and professionalism.”

Flanagan said it’s more important than ever for cities and towns to engage in proactive communications. If municipalities communicate with residents only during emergencies, controversies, or budget season, he said, the public increasingly associates government with problems rather than service.

“The project has reinforced the importance of acknowledging that behind every issue is a person who cares about their work and takes pride in what they do,” Flanagan said. “I think that has had a powerful impact on the community and increased the sense of appreciation for what people do who work on their behalf.”

For more information, visit the “Andover at Work” website.