(Un) Common Paintings Get Raves at M2L Show Room Reception

Painter Katauna Parker explains her role at AFH and life as a teen-artist

 Artists For Humanity’s Monday night reception at M2L Boston was above and beyond! 

The crowd mingles before the artists' presentations

There was a wonderful, enthusiastic buzz at M2L as Boston’s finest came out to view nine paintings exhibited throughout the Boylston Street showroom. Colorful and abstract, the works of AFH artists Rashad Nelson, Eddie McColgan, and Kitauna Parker drew rave reviews, and so did their heartfelt remarks to the assembled.

Eddie McColgan was the first to speak. “I haven’t spoken to a big group before; I was definitely nervous. But I think it was cool to talk to everybody and have them check out my work.” 

Rashad and Kitauna followed with stories of how they found AFH and how their experiences shaped their trajectory as people and artists.  After Rashad recounted his artistic growth, Kitauna had her first turn as a public speaker. “I wasn’t really engaged in my high school. It was tough for me to function well there. Being around the mentors, the other kids, everybody at AFH, has really changed the way I see things – for the better!”  Kitauna told the crowd that her large paintings spoke to her feelings about the need to protect the environment- and that we need to take heed. “The green and blue are earth and water – but the reds show things heating up and lots of fires everywhere.”

Artist Rashad Nelson poses with his piece

The setting, conviviality, and conversation between strangers and new friends made for a fantastic evening. M2L’s furniture and AFH’s art were clearly made for each other! Special thanks to  M2L Principal Matt Manes for inviting AFH to exhibit. The paintings will stay up through February so be sure to stop by and check them out!  They are all for sale and the best news is that AFH artists get 50% of the sale price and the rest supports AFH programs.  For more AFH paintings, click here! 

Assistant Painting Mentor Eddie McColgan shows off his piece

 Looks like we’re not the only ones who had a great time at our M2L reception! Check out what other bloggers are saying about our talented teens!

Iconic Neiman Marcus discovers Artists For Humanity

While AFH has received numerous commissions from a variety of clients, the latest one to come through our sculpture studio has caused quite a buzz in our building. Recently, AFH’s 3D-Design Department was commissioned to create unique store displays for renowned fashion retailer, Neiman Marcus, and the teens were up to the task!

Thanks to a little bit of luck, and a lot of internet-search-kismet, Senior Designer for Store Development, Steve Vanlandingham, found AFH amidst a vague search for youth art groups. “I saw AFH’s ReVision tables online, and reached out by phone,” Vanlandingham told us, “AFH talked to me about the possibility of using our old catalogs (the famous Neiman Marcus, “the Book”) to cover a wood table and cube that I designed for our women’s apparel and accessories sections.” 

  

Design and build plans were developed by a team of AFH teen artists with mentors Nick Farnham and Jamison Sellers overseeing the plan. The team painstakingly culled and cut strips from “the Book,” placing them with a precision that transformed the wood surface into a shimmering representation of Neiman Marcus' sensibility.  Lots of experimentation with the placement of the strips by colors and design, over many weeks made for a very upbeat studio experience.

“We tried so many techniques until we figured out what works!” remarked Tri Huynh about the challenges, and straight-up fun of producing the table and cubes. “We never applied resin using a brushed process before. It was a trip, with a lot of drip!” Tri teamed with Cameron Akeredolu on the finishing elements of a 6 ft. table and two, 2 ½ foot cubes destined for a new Neiman-Marcus store, soon to open in Walnut Creek, CA. Cameron found the resin application daunting at first. “This was a new thing for us; so after we freaked a bit getting the hang of it, it was pretty cool when we discovered how to make it look sweet.”

“The whole project was fun and a new experience. My mom used to work at Neiman’s in Natick. I would have never imagined that I’d have the opportunity to make something artistic for one of their stores,” Juanita Grim said with a bright smile. “My mouth waters over the beautiful clothes whenever I’m there. But now I’ll have a whole new perspective; I’ll probably be checking out the displays as much as the merchandise!”

The AFH design team can’t wait to hear how Neiman shoppers react when they see the custom ReVision display tables. “I thought what they (NM) wanted to do was very creative,” AFH teen Dana Durfee pronounced.  “I’m happy they came to AFH to make it.”

For more amazing designs created in our sculpture studio, click here!

The Adventure Continues...

For the past three months, AFH and the Boston Public Health Commission have enlisted Draco Prosapia, a Boston-based skate team, to help promote drinking water over sugar-sweetened beverages. The team, created in 2007 by AFH Motion Graphics Mentor Mikey Guadarrama, is made up of 60 skaters ranging in age from 9 to 26. Along with supporting the creation of the Charles River Skate Park, DP has helped part the sugary seas and spread the word of water by skating all over the city and passing out AFH-custom-made stickers, t-shirts, and posters. 

Check out the latest video crafted in our Graphics Studio and keep looking-out for the DP crew as they continue to take over the city streets and support healthy drinks! 

For more info on how to join the DP skate team, click here. 
For more info on the dangers of drinking sugar, click here. 
For more info on how to do backflips, click here. 

EpiCenter's New Entry Way Wins People's Choice Award!

Looks like we're not the only ones who love our new awning! We are thrilled to announce that AFH's sculpture department has been awarded First Place in the Exterior Category in the 6th Annual People's Choice 3form Installation Contest!

We are so proud of the AFH teens in our 3-D Design and Sculpture Studio and their mentors Nick Farnham and Jamison Sellers, who helped design and fabricate such a beautiful entry way  to our LEED Platinum Certified EpiCenter! Huge thanks  to architect and MassArt Professor Sam Batchelor, South Boston Local 7 Ironworkers, and MassArt Grad students who contributed their services and helped turn our dream of a creative protected entry way into an award winning reality! CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Come see the awning for yourself! Call 617-268-7620 to schedule a tour of the EpiCenter and meet our talented teen-artists!

Happy New Year from Artists for Humanity!

We hope you are enjoying this holiday season and send warm wishes 

for a prosperous and inspired new year! Thank you for your 

continued generosity and support - we could not do the work that we do 

without you. We so hope you will consider a year end contribution 

in support of our teen artists, such as Cameron Akeredolu, 

who's story captures the AFH experience I'd like to share.

“When I started coming to AFH, I was in a little trouble. I had made a 

mistake. At AFH, I wasn't judged. Instead I was advised about better 

ways to conduct myself so I could be more successful, maybe even 

make a contribution to something good.

“I started my experience in the painting studio and later moved to 

sculpture where I’ve worked on a bunch of awesome projects! One of 

my absolute favorites is our ReVision line of furniture. It all started as a way 

to recycle junk mail and magazines into something that would look cool 

and be useful. It’s now a diverse line of products that we have been marketing all 

over the country. Last March, I got to go to New York City with a couple of my studio-mates to 

help work at our booth at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show. We showed our pieces and 

won the prize for Most Socially Responsible Exhibit at the show. Everyone loved our booth and it 

was a pretty awesome experience.

“Another amazing opportunity was designing bike racks for Mission Hill Main Streets. We built models and did 3-D drawings on the computer and then presented them to a panel. They loved the designs, and mine was one that was picked. We built them out of steel. Now when I walk past Brigham Circle, I’ll point out my bike rack and tell my friends, ‘I made that!’

“Just last week my studio mates and I helped construct the awning for the entrance to the EpiCenter. This project was a lot of fun! MassArt’s Design/Build students worked with us on the design and installation. It was cool to collaborate with them and the architects who built the EpiCenter. I really liked being part of a project that beautifies the neighborhood and helps an organization that has helped me so much.


“After working on all of these interesting creative design and building projects, I have developed a strong passion for the career I want to pursue. I want to become a civil engineer and continue to be involved in projects that enrich the community and make the city a better place to live. Thanks, AFH, for showing me this career path, letting me know what I’m capable of achieving, and giving me a chance to do something special."

All of us at Artists For Humanity are continually working to provide these opportunities to the 250 young people we employ each year. We hope you can see their talent, appreciate their enthusiasm for new opportunities, and continue to support them as they become leaders in their communities. 

Click here to donate online, and thank you.


Wishing you a happy and healthy 2012!
Susan Rodgerson
Executive/Artistic Director 

Help us make 2012 great!

Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet?

In  2012, Artists For Humanity resolves to employ more under-resourced youth with jobs in the arts! And with your help, we will!
 
What began with six teens twenty years ago, has blossomed into a full community of mentors and staff and students all committed to create, learn, grow, and empower each other. In 2011, we employed over 200 teens with jobs in painting, graphic design, photography, videography, 3D design, and silk-screening. With 2012 approaching, we are striving to expand our facility in order to provide more opportunities for artistic employment for our talented Boston teens, and your contributions help sustain our micro-arts enterprise. 

So, as 2011 comes to a close, we ask that you take a minute to check out our site, our artists, and our mission. AFH wouldn't be possible without you, and with your support, we will continue to grow, inspire, and cultivate the young minds through creative jobs.

Thanks to everyone who helped make our 2011 the best yet... and here's to a bright 2012!

To learn more about AFH, click here. 

To donate to AFH and help sustain our unique, entrepreneurial micro-arts enterprise, click here.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2012!

Q and A with Carolyn Shin, 2012 YoungArts “Visual Arts” Merit Award Winner!

Carolyn Shin is a familiar face in the Epicenter Painting Studio.  She has been an unpaid AFH apprentice for the past three years, working five hours a week …and traveling to the EpiCenter from Weston, MA. Big news for Carolyn is that she has been chosen as a 2012 YoungArts Merit Award Winner from more than 5,000 applicants in nine disciplines in the visual, literary and performing arts. Shin is one 271 Merit Award Winners, selected in a blind adjudication process from a pool representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as all U.S. territories.


In addition to being called, “one of 2012 Best and Brightest Young Artists in the nation,” Carolyn will receive a monetary award! (for more about YoungArts and the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) click here.) 

Blog: What inspires you in your paintings?

Carolyn: I discovered that it is essential for me to be always attentive and attuned to the world around me. I have been especially intrigued by the nature of habits so I have studied my own “bad habits” by exploring and mimicking the repetitive, nitty-gritty nature of peeling and scratching through layers of tape, x-acto knives, and sanding paper on wooden panels. Many of my works that depict Bovidae and Cervidae animal species are drawn from the museum’s Horns and Antlers exhibit. My heightened awareness of the workings of habit has led me to see the links between these animals and what is beneath the skin: my childhood experiences, memories, and dreams. Bovidae, Cervidae, darkness, earthy tones — I realized these all have counterparts in my grandparents’ lodge that I visited often as a child.

Blog: How has your experience at Artists For Humanity helped you as an artist?

Carolyn: While I have experienced art as a way to self-discovery, I have also experienced it as an agent of community building and social change. AFH has made me feel that I am increasingly more in conversation with other artists. It is such an honor to work at this unique organization. I have an immense appreciation for what AFH does for talented kids, and for helping me expand my horizons. I am grateful to be at AFH because it gave me new friendships and greater inspiration to pursue the arts.

Blog: What lead you to enter the Young Arts Competition?

Carolyn: During the summer of 2011, the two weeks at the Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation (WMS) program in Colorado Springs turned out to be the most intense and transformative time I had. Only twenty had been selected for this full-scholarship program. While it was very challenging, I was encouraged to apply for the YoungArts Competition. Before coming here I was too afraid to try, but I decided that there was nothing to lose. All of us decided to try.

Blog: What was your reaction to being selected as one of the Best and Brightest Young Artists in the nation?

Carolyn: Honestly, I was very surprised because this competition is known to be almost impossible to gain recognition for. I am just so thankful for this award, and I'm glad that all the hard work paid off! It is a good feeling to get recognition for doing what you are the most passionate about.

Blog: What is next for you?

Carolyn: I'm not quite sure what I want to do exactly, but I do have big dreams: I want to have my own solo exhibition one day, continue exploring my past, and share the transformative potential of art with more communities. Currently, my number one dream is to become an inspirational educator and make a difference in other people’s lives. Art education is extremely important because it leads people to study the bonds between art and its surroundings.

Blog: CONGRATULATIONS Carolyn!  You are in inspiration!!

Take a look at some of the Carolyn’s work and click here to see the work of more AFH painters that are for sale. 50% of all sales go to the artist and 50% to support AFH programs.