As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Kayem, New England’s #1 Frank, is celebrating in a distinctly playful and patriotic way with its “There When It Mattered Most” campaign, a creative reimagining of defining moments and figures in American history featuring hot dogs.
Created by Boston ad agency, Colossus, the campaign anchors itself in the re-imagination of famous, historical pieces of art like “Washington Crossing the Delaware”, “Portrait of George Washington”, “Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride”, The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor” and more. Each painting was “modified” to tell the story of the hot dog’s minimized role in American history.
The campaign comes to life in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), transforming key historical artworks and figures by inserting hot dogs into pivotal scenes from the nation’s founding, whimsically telling the “true story” of the role that this iconic food played in fueling the birth of a nation.
“Without hot dogs, this nation would not be what it is today,” says Colossus Executive Creative Director Greg Almeida. “Yet history has never quite told the full story. So as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we felt like this was the perfect opportunity to set the record straight.”
The ‘There When It Mattered Most’ artwork will appear in a one-day ‘exhibition’ in Boston’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace on June 4th, before the pieces travel to additional locations in New England throughout June and July. They will also be featured on Kayem social media throughout the summer.
“Kayem is always there for when it matters most. BBQs, family dinners, ballgames, and now America’s 250th birthday,” says Matt Monkiewicz, President & CEO of Kayem Foods. “We want to celebrate the moment with an unexpected and fun campaign that highlights our connection to New England and our commitment to the food that makes these moments special. We’re thrilled to be partnering with the MFA Boston and inviting people to see these historic works in a new and unique way that honors the hot dog, America’s most iconic food.”
On View at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Following their public debut at Faneuil Hall, select campaign works will be on view at the MFA from June 24 to July 24—fittingly displayed in the museum’s cafeteria. Visitors can see the original artworks in the MFA’s newly reopened 18th-century Art of the Americas galleries, which will be unveiled at the Museum’s annual Juneteenth event on June 19, followed by an America at 250 Open House on June 20. Both events will be free for Massachusetts residents and offer programming including art making and performances. The new galleries feature more than 500 objects—including icons of the MFA’s collection, long unseen works, and new acquisitions.
“This collaboration with Kayem offers a fun and timely entry point into American history,” said Nonie Gadsden, Katharine Lane Weems Senior Curator of American Decorative Arts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. “We’re excited to invite audiences to engage with both playful interpretations and the real stories and works that define our shared past.”
Hot Dog History Hits the Road: Art Series Stops
Additional viewing opportunities of select works will be available across New England throughout the summer, including:
- Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport (June 15 – June 21st)
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (June 24 – July 24)
- Cisco Brewers – Boston Seaport (June 22 – June 24)
- Boston Red Sox – Fenway Park, Gate A (June 25 – June 26)
- American Independence Museum, Exeter, NH (July 11 – July 19)
- Narragansett Brewing Taproom (July 15 – July 19)
Consumers are encouraged to follow along on social media as the artwork pops up in additional locations throughout New England this summer.
In addition to the campaign, Kayem continues to celebrate America’s 250th with special commemorative 250th packaging on their boxes as well as the launch of a limited-edition Cannon Fire Hot Dog, a smoky, spicy take on a classic created for America’s 250th, available now at retailers across New England for $2.50 per four-pack.
To explore more of Kayem’s tongue-in-cheek hot dog history and for the latest updates on the art tour stops, visit kayem250.com and follow @kayembrand on Instagram and TikTok. For the real stories behind the moments and figures that shaped the nation, visit the Art of the Americas Wing at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and follow @mfaboston on Instagram.
