At the First Parish Art Gallery — Friday, March 6, 2009 - Thursday, April 23, 2009

Teenagers from Boston's Artists for Humanity (AFH) will be showing their paintings in The Gallery from March 6 - April 24. The paintings, ranging from self portraits to gardens to shoes, represent the diverse interests and styles of these young urban artists.

AFH's mission is to bridge economic, racial and social divisions by providingunderserved youth with keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in the arts. Teens come to AFH after school to create a wide range of products and services - including paintings, photography, screen printing, graphic design and furniture made from recycled materials - that are marketed throughout the greater Boston area. AFH operates as a micro-enterprise where the student artists work closely with mentors and are paid an hourly wage for their work. AFH celebrates the talents and wonderful energy of young people by giving them hands-on experiences in creativity, business, teamwork, and self-governance. Participants learn techniques of professional artists and the business world while engaging in education, employment, artistic exploration, and entrepreneurial experience. This produces life-transforming change for youth and for their communities. AFH is located in Fort Point Channel in one of Boston's first "green" buildings, known as the EpiCenter.

The show of paintings is co-sponsored by the First Parish Church Outreach and Art Gallery Committees.

On Sun., Mar. 8, at 11:30 am, several of the artists and a mentor from the program will be speaking in the Parlor.
All are invited to attend.

Click here to learn more about Artists for Humanity

"Fighting Over Nothing" by Jeff Marseille	"Self Portrait" by Wendy Michel

About The Gallery At First Parish

The Gallery At First Parish opened September 17, 2000.

Its purpose, as described by the founders:

The mission of The Gallery At First Parish is to add another dimension
to the spiritual fabric of our lives by exhibiting the work of visual artists
who seek to contribute to a deeper understanding of the human condition.

The Gallery is intended to be a service to the parish, the artist and the wider community.
It is open to the public without charge 9 AM – 4 PM weekdays, and 9 AM – 12:30 PM Sundays.
Interested parties may also call the Church Office (781-893-7798) for other possible viewing times.

Gallery exhibits are listed in the First Parish Event Calendar.

Gallery Exhibits

Gallery Committee

Mary Jo Rines
Diana Bonner
Ginnie Hibbard
Karen MacDuffie
Winky Merrill
Sylvia Whitman, Chair
Tom Wintle