Prudential Center

News

With the equinox on the horizon, we are excited to share our continued partnership with Artists for Humanity, spotlighting up-and-coming artistic talent in our community. Prudential Center will display the work of three more teen artists through October, as summer fades to fall. 

Since its launch in May, this collaboration has delighted visitors with the creative expressions of a new teen artist each month. These exhibits have brought discovery and inspiration to many, and we know you won’t want to miss out on exploring the work of our next featured artists. 

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. To learn more about AFH, please scan the QR code on the screen

Here’s a preview of our next three artists, below.

AUGUST’S FEATURED ARTIST: EVELYN TRAN

Two acrylic pieces by Evelyn Tran will be featured throughout Prudential Center during the month of August: “By the Sun” and “Colorgram.”

“Colorgram”

“By the Sun”

EVELYN’S STATEMENT

I am an abstract painter; my paintings mainly focus on colors and simplicity, but sometimes with an added touch of crazy. For most of my works, I use acrylic paint, wood panels, and canvas. I get my inspiration from three notable women artists — Rose Olson, Helen Frankenthaler, and Greet Helsen. Rose Olson paints on raw wood as well. Her art uses transparencies and many beautiful color combinations that I find to be really pleasing. Helen Frankenthaler’s works are really simple and consist of organic shapes that I find fascinating. I love the way she arranges compositions and how she combines the right colors to make it all come together. Greet Helsen treats acrylic paint like watercolors by watering down her pigments. Her paintings consist of lines and different shapes with loose and large brushstrokes.

 I want people to see my work and feel relaxed and a little excited. In order to do that, I tend to use a lot of transparencies. I find that utilizing the wood grain gives it a sense of calmness by muting the colors so they are not as saturated and loud. The colors I choose tend to be analogous tints and tones. I want everything to flow peacefully.

Making art in general matters to me because it’s the only time I can really express my creativity and myself. I tend to keep everything inside and not tell anyone anything about myself. So showing all these colors displays the aspects of my character that I tend to have a hard time showing.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Evelyn Tran is a 20 year old working as an exhibition assistant at Artists for Humanity. As the only child in her family, she wished to pursue her degree for her mother. While she is now pursuing different interests, she used to be a focused abstract painter and has sold multiple abstract pieces. During her time as a teen in the AFH Painting Studio, she had the opportunity to be mentored by some of the most incredible Boston-based artists. Evelyn grew up with a passion for drawing and was introduced to Artists for Humanity, where she fell in love with painting and expressing herself through her artworks.  

 GETTING TO KNOW EVELYN

Q: What is your favorite spot in Boston to explore?

A: My favorite spot to relax is Lawn On D, where I love to let loose and recharge after a long day. I get to be on the swing, while listening to music, and play different types of lawn games that they offer.

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

A: My perfect day in Boston would consist of trying new food or going somewhere with a beautiful view of the city with my loved ones or just being able to get boba.

SEPTEMBER’S FEATURED ARTIST: CATHERINE MITCHELL

The digital screens throughout Prudential Center will feature Catherine Mitchell’s artwork — “The Grid” and “Finding a Meaning” — during the month of September.

“The Grid”

“Finding a Meaning”

CATHERINE‘S STATEMENT

I like painting and drawing because it clears my head. Though the majority of my works are acrylic paintings done on a variety of surfaces, I have also explored other mediums such as metals, photography, sketching with different utensils, as well as relief sculptures. The art I produce is based mostly off nature and the world around me. I like to find small details of things to pull out and advance upon them through line work, the movement of paint and water, as well as the language that is shared between colors. Painting allows me to let people see through my eyes. In my opinion, art is important to the world because it makes everything more beautiful. During my time at AFH, I encountered my first artistic mentor, Maggie Brown. She was the first respected artist I met who identified with my love of abstract. She helped shape my relationship with painting and with the skill required to make a mark. Before I came to AFH, I was not able to paint nor was I acknowledged for my work, but working there allowed me to experience both of those things.   

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Process-based artist Catherine Mitchell ensnares the viewer with a moment of being present in a society that seems to have forgotten the power of placidity. She was born in Boston Massachusetts on February 12th, 1998. During her high school years, she was accepted into an apprenticeship program with the non-profit organization Artists ForHumanity. Working under some of Boston’s most renowned artists, she gained experience and exhibited her artwork in locations such as Logan Airport, the Cyclorama, and National Grid among many other clients. In the summer of 2019, she worked with AFH again as an Exhibitions Intern. During this time, she gained key experience in handling, packaging as well as installing large bodies of work. She received her BFA degree at Maine College of Art in 2020 as a Painting major. 

GETTING TO KNOW CATHERINE

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

A: My absolute favorite place in all of Boston is the Arnold Arboretum. The gorgeous views of lush green, and the peacefulness that this place brings is unmatched. Whether I want to go on a beautiful walk or just sit in the grass and eat lunch, this is my favorite place to be.

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

A: Simco’s is not only one of my favorite restaurants of all time, it has also been a historical staple that has been in operation since 1935. It has been around for so long that my grandparents used to go there for soda dates many years ago.

OCTOBER’S FEATURED ARTIST: NYAH LEON

During October, Nyah Leon’s artwork, “Nature” and “Wave Check,” will be featured throughout Prudential Center. 

“Nature”

“Wave Check”

NYAH‘S STATEMENT

“Nature” is a piece that is dedicated to my parents. I wanted to create something that was dedicated to them, so I used their favorite colors along with the wavy/drip pattern that I used in “Wave Check” to create “Nature.” I titled the piece after the nature versus nurture theory in reference to how my parents raised me in an environment and society different from their own. Usually, my pieces are much more structured and opaque, but I wanted to experiment with opacity and fluidity. I created “Wave Check” after a rough period in my life. I consider this piece to be essentially the light at the end of a dark tunnel. Creating this piece marked the beginning of my journey of figuring out what kind of artist I wished to be. It set the tone of all the paintings I’ve made afterwards of being sharp and bright. The clean and sharp lines resonated with the part of me that thrives for structure. The vibrant colors that make the piece feel lively and animated stems from my energy and personality. 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Nyah Leon is a young Dominican-American multimedia artist, born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. She’s a vivid and animated person, which translates into her art through her use of bold and lucid colors. She draws inspiration primarily through art from the 70’s, music, film, and Pinterest. 

GETTING TO KNOW NYAH

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

A: My favorite spot in Boston to have fun with would be the playground in Joe Moakley Park in South Boston. My grandmother lives in the area, and throughout my entire childhood my family and I would go to that park. I would spend most of the time there on the swings facing the streets watching cars drive by and the sky change colors.

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

A: My favorite spot to eat in the city would be Gondres Bakery in Jamaica Plain. They have the best pastelitos and bollitos. I also have a huge sweet tooth, and their desserts are amazing. My personal favorite is their tres leches cake.

Stop by the Prudential Center to explore the works of these talented teen artists as the displays — and the seasons — change!