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Prudential Center’s continued collaboration with Artists For Humanity, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young artists from under-resourced communities, is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of art and community engagement. This partnership aims to create a dynamic platform for budding artists to showcase their talents and contribute to the vibrant artistic landscape of Boston. Through this relationship, Prudential Center not only provides a physical space for these artists to exhibit their work, but also fosters an environment that encourages artistic expression, creativity, and personal growth.

Join us at Prudential Center to empower the next generation of talented artists — let their strong voices and visions be heard and celebrated!

JULY ARTIST: Meadow Weaver

We are featuring two of Meadow’s paintings around Prudential Center through the end of July.

‘Colorful Flowers’	‘Puffy’

Artist Statement 

I create abstract paintings. At first, I didn’t know what I enjoyed about drawing or painting; I would just start with doodling and turn that into something. Once I figured out about abstract paintings I started to love them. I enjoy making abstract art because it doesn’t have to be anything specific. Abstract paintings can be various objects and shapes turned into something wonderful. I create abstract paintings because I feel like I can paint anything I want, it feels like doodling, and it’s very lovely to look at.

About the Artist 

Meadow Weaver is a 16-year-old abstract painter. She always liked doodling in her notebook during her free time; doodling is fun and entertaining for Meadow. She wanted to become better at drawing and painting, so she started at Artists for Humanity to learn more and to be able to enjoy what she does for work.  

Getting to know Meadow 

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

My favorite place in Boston to relax and explore is the zoo because I love animals. They make me feel very calm and entertained. 

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

My perfect day in Boston would be hanging out with friends and going to an amusement park.

AUGUST ARTIST: Nora Mohamed

We are featuring two of Nora’s paintings around Prudential Center during the month of August.

‘Everlasting’	‘Good Morning’

Artist Statement 

My name is Nora Mohamed, and I am 18 years old. I was born in Cairo, Egypt, after my parents sought asylum there from Sudan. My parents never planned to move to the states. In my mother’s words at the time it felt, “so out of our reach,” yet now I am living their wildest dreams. The beginning of my freshman year I was introduced by one of my close friends to the idea of AFH, a place that pays teens hourly to create work. I always enjoyed creating but never thought I was any good. Through AFH I started developing my own art practice and pushed myself to tell my story through my work. AFH also gave me the space to explore and play around with the work I was making. “Everlasting” is the first abstract piece I started to have real pride in because I let myself play around with the paints and water. Mixing, splashing and dumping water and paints on the canvas. It is healing to let myself explore what it’s like to feel okay again in such a different light. 

About the Artist  

Nora Mohamed is 18 years old and is going into her freshman year of college at UMass Dartmouth where she will be double majoring in studio arts and psychology. She has been working at Artists For Humanity for the past four years now. She is a first-generation Sudanese American; she was born in Egypt and moved to the states 13 years ago with her family. She now sees herself pursuing an art career. Her art focuses on themes of her rich East African heritage. She started out as a realist painter and, for the past year, has been exploring painting more expressively and playfully, letting herself play with the paints and explore the emotions of color. 

Getting to know Nora 

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

One of my favorite places to relax is by the Common frog pond. Getting to watch the sunset over the skyline and seeing how the sun looks when it ripples off the water calms me down every time; it reminds me how simple life can be. Even with all the chaos in the city there is stillness here. 

Q: What is your favorite spot to eat in the city? 

My favorite spot to eat in the city is at Anatolia’s in Brookline. It’s a Turkish restaurant, and even though I am not Turkish, the food and the atmosphere in the restaurant remind me so much of home. My family doesn’t go out to eat often, but when we do we only go to Anatolia’s. 

SEPTEMBER ARTIST: Gia Minh Nguyen

We are featuring two of Gia’s paintings around Prudential Center during the month of September.

‘Software’	‘Geometric Abstraction’

Artist Statement 

My name is Gia Minh Nguyen, and I am currently 17 years old. I was raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and moved to the U.S. about 4 years ago. My family wanted to move to Boston, Massachusetts, because we had some support from our uncle and his family members when we first arrived. I enjoy my alone time with video games like Valorant, Wild Rift, and Arena of Valor. Anyone who knows me, knows I am into anime and manga and am currently following Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, Spy x Family, and others. Fun fact, my painting “Software” was based on Demon Slayer. I created the painting to fit the character’s emotions and the background color because I was amazed when I first saw the character, and it inspired me to create this painting. After the painting was finished, I saw it as a geometric recreation of what floating in the deep ocean is like! The different squares represent the reflective blue waves, and the layering shows the depth of how you are slowly sinking to the dark and cold abyss of the vast sea. The pattern invokes a sense of cold and melancholy, but at the same time you can’t help but succumb, and, at the end, a sense of peace arises.

About the Artist  

Gia Minh Nguyen is a 17-year-old teenager that currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts, with his family and works in the Painting Studio at Artist For Humanity. He had an odd and unusual approach toward art from a very young age. He approaches art as a mathematical puzzle that he can solve, and he is an expert in geometric painting. While he is less practiced in painting people or objects, he excels at drawing geometric shapes. Depending on how the viewers interpret it, his geometric painting may occasionally speak to his feelings, passions, or dreams.

Getting to know Gia 

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

Newbury Street is my preferred destination in Boston when I want to have fun. I find a lot of the shops, restaurants, and stores incredibly appealing, and they sell really high-quality goods. Even after several visits, I would continue to discover a variety of new activities and businesses that still amazed me.

Q: What is your favorite spot to eat in the city? 

Gyu Kaku Japanese BBQ, which is located in South Bay, is unquestionably my favorite restaurant in the city. The services are surprisingly quick, the workers are kind, and the food is delicious.

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 2022’s artists: Sarah Richi, Sam Quintin, and Lydia Disla.

Learn more about August, September, and October 2022’s artists: Evelyn Tran, Catherine Mitchell, and Nyah Leon.

Learn more about November and December 2022’s artists: Nyarah Carter-Leary and Tiesha Semedo.

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

Learn more about April, May, and June’s artists: Aaron Kennedy, Kayla Saint-Felix, and Irma Guerra.