The AFH Blog: 2012 AFH Summer Exhibition and Celebration .. Best Ever!

The AFH 7- week Summer Jobs Program employed 150 Boston area teens…the largest number in our 20-year history! To celebrate, a BIG End O’ Summer Bash was staged in the Lewis Gallery on August 23^rd to honor the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the apprentices and their mentors.

The joy and pride of accomplishment was palpable. Teen artists beamed as they talked about their work to a gallery full of admiring supporters, alumni and the families and friends of the participants. Art was everywhere and sales were brisk...including paintings and photographs inspired by weekly excursions to Boston Harbor Islands; new jewelry designs (hoop earrings and pendants) made from repurposed hardened layers of paint from tables in our Painting Studio; t-shirts designed by AFH graphic designers and produced in the Screen Printing Studio. Oh yes, and there were videos and murals that showed the talent and ingenuity of today's AFH artists. A shout out to the mentors and staff who are the backbone of Artists For Humanity and take great pride in the work of their studios. And a huge thank you to our program sponsors: John Hancock, The City of Boston, Bank of America Foundation, The Janey Fund, Procter &Gamble, Reebok Foundation and South Boston Community Development Foundation.

Every AFH celebration has great food, and back by popular request was the hearty and delicious Blue Ribbon Barbecue. For your dessert, check out the pics below , taken by AFH teen photographers that capture the exuberance and creativity of the evening!