Prudential Center

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Spring is in the air,  and we’re excited about all things in bloom — the budding flowers, the leafy trees, and the bold, young creatives of Artists for Humanity (AFH). AFH is built on the philosophy that engagement in the creative process is a powerful force for social change, and that creative entrepreneurship is a productive and life-changing opportunity for young people. May marks the end of the first full year of Prudential Center‘s collaboration with AFH, a proud milestone for us.

We are honored to feature the fresh new pieces from our teen artists of Spring 2023: Aaron Kennedy, Kayla Saint-Felix, and Irma Guerra. Their work will be featured each month on the digital screens throughout Prudential Center. We hope you’ll come out and experience it, too! 

April Artist: Aaron Kennedy

We featured two of Aaron’s mixed media visual art pieces around Prudential Center through the month of April. 

‘Silk of the Sea’

‘Nature’s Livelihood’

Artist Statement 

I really only take pictures of plants and animals. There’s just something so captivating about the intricacies of nature; no two organisms look the same, and that’s something that I always found intriguing. To provide some background information, I was raised by those who’ve always had a green thumb — constantly surrounded by the beauty of my family’s gardens. I’ve always tried to capture the elegance of the flora and fauna that I’m surrounded with in all of my art, and photography allows me to depict the natural world in its raw state. Although Boston’s increasing industrialization has taken away the majority of the city’s natural landscape, I still manage to record whatever natural beauty is left.

About the Artist

Aaron Kennedy is a teen artist in the Photography Studio at Artists for Humanity. He’s 18 years old and in his final year of high school at the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science. Aaron has lived in Boston his entire life, and will soon venture outside the limits of Massachusetts to expand his horizons. He plans on pursuing Biomedical Engineering in college because it combines both of his passions into an amalgamation of everything that drew him to a STEM field. 

Taking a break from his future plans, let’s dive into his past at Artists for Humanity. Aaron was hired on September 29th, 2020, initially working in the 3D Design studio, creating various mixed media visual art pieces. For the most part, he was creating highly intricate collages out of various magazines that AFH had supplied 3D studio with; the keen eye that he used to make sure that every separate piece was cut with perfect precision came in handy when venturing into the world of digital photography. He hopes to still be able to explore his passion for visual arts and photography beyond Artists for Humanity, and will always pay homage to them for the opportunities and experiences that he’s had while being here. 

Getting to Know Aaron 

Q: What is your favorite spot in Boston to relax/have fun/explore?

A: My favorite place to relax and rejuvenate would be Boston Common — the scenery, the water, the people from all walks of life, are things I find solace in. The overall beauty of the Common is something that I will never forget. 

Q: What is your favorite retail store to shop in?

A: My favorite retail store happens to be Sephora, the supplier for all of my skincare needs. I believe that skincare isn’t only good for the body, but also the mind. I use my daily routine to take a moment and think back on the day’s events, as well as say my daily affirmations in order to set the tone for my morning or evening. 

May Artist: Kayla Saint-Felix

We are featuring two of Kayla’s paintings around Prudential Center through the end of May.

‘Lovely’

‘Bottled Up Emotions’

Artist Statement 

Color and brush work are most important to me depending on what type of piece it is. When it comes to abstract pieces, I like for them to be fun and cool. Also brush textures are very important, whether rough, soft, or flat, and I think the size of the brushstroke matters too. Painting is all connected to my feelings, emotions, inspirations, fears and moves. This helps me feel there is a purpose beyond my paintings other than portraying something randomly. 

About the Artist 

Kayla Saint-Felix is a 15-year-old painter working at Artists For Humanity. She was introduced to painting at a young age, and, as she got older, her interest blossomed and she was recommended to the program. Being able to paint allows her to express her thoughts, emotions, and ideas on the canvas. Painting helps show a different side of her without using her words, only her ideas. She enjoys painting and finds it therapeutic and hopes to continue to create more paintings in the future.

Getting to Know Kayla

Q: What is your favorite spot in Boston to relax/have fun/explore?

A: My favorite spot in Boston, Massachusetts, is Downtown Crossing — there are so many stores to explore and food places. 

Q: What does your perfect day in Boston look like? 

A: A perfect day in Boston looks like a nice warm day out with my friends catching up, doing fun activities, and walking around.

June Artist: Irma Guerra

We will be featuring two of Irma’s paintings around Prudential Center through the end of June.

‘Calorosa’

‘Currents’

Artist Statement

In my paintings, I want to express depth by using a variety of color ranges. Bright colors are my favorite since they draw attention and are enjoyable to look at. I enjoy painting and letting my creativity run wild in order to get the desired effect. I want people to see my pieces and enjoy the techniques that went into creating it.

About the Artist

Irma is a Cape Verdean and Cuban Artist from Boston. She currently attends Boston Arts Academy and has worked for Artists For Humanity for two years. Working at AFH has given her a strong passion for painting. She draws inspiration from her mentors to create bold, abstract paintings in a geometric style. During her time there she has improved her painting techniques and has gotten the opportunity to work on a mural with other artists. 

Getting to Know Irma

Q: What is your favorite spot in Boston to relax/have fun/explore?
A: Boston Common

Q: What does your perfect day in Boston look like?
A: Going out for ice cream in the summer and spending time with friends and family.

As you explore all that’s blooming around Boston this spring, don’t forget to check out the art and excitement here at Prudential Center. Aaron Kennedy, Kayla Saint-Felix, and Irma Guerra have worked hard to develop their crafts. We love it and know you will, too! 

ABOUT ARTISTS FOR HUMANITY

Artists For Humanity (AFH) provides under-resourced teens the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in art and design. AFH is built on the philosophy that engagement in the creative process is a powerful force for social change, and that creative entrepreneurship is a productive and life-changing opportunity for young people. Bridging economic, racial and social divisions, AFH enriches urban communities by introducing young people’s creativity to the business community.

Learn more about May, June, and July’s artists: Sarah Richi, Sam Quintin, and Lydia Disla.

Learn more about August, September, and October’s artists: Evelyn Tran, Catherine Mitchell, and Nyah Leon.

Learn more about November and December’s artists: Nyarah Carter-Leary and Tiesha Semedo.

Learn more about January, February, and March’s artists: Axander Vazquez, Faith Christensen, and Jeanetta Narcisse.