Prudential Center

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We’re excited to continue to collaborate with Artists For Humanity to provide a platform for budding artists to showcase their talents with the greater Boston community! 

Prudential Center’s relationship with AFH 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. Meet our first three featured artists for 2024 below.

When visiting the Center this month, check out our March featured artist during a day of shopping, dining, or just to celebrate local artists!

JANUARY ARTIST:
MELEEZA PIRES

We featured two of Meleeza’s paintings around Prudential Center in January.

‘Marisol’

‘Levitate’

ARTIST STATEMENT 

I have grown my knowledge of art through different styles and techniques of painting, such as portraits, landscapes, abstract art, texture and color choice. I enjoy painting portraits and using acrylic paint colors that would extract different feelings. I intend to try as many different techniques as possible and challenge myself to grow as an artist.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Meleeza Pires began her art career at the young age of 14 with small portrait drawings in a sketchbook. Little did she know, the Cape Verdean girl who grew up in the busy city of Boston would soon be making art that would reach hundreds of people. After eight months of learning how to paint at Artists For Humanity, she sold her first piece of work – a painting of Audrey Hepburn that was inspired by the late Andy Warhol. The painting had completely changed her life and outlook on art. Throughout the years, she has been able to produce bodies of artwork that are a reflection of herself in the most unconventional way, whether it is portraits of famous artists, actresses, leaders, self-portraits or landscapes, and so on. She had the privilege of having her pieces in residences, galleries, and installations. She feels accomplished knowing she is able to elicit a warm feeling in other people’s minds and hearts.

GET TO KNOW MELEEZA

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

My favorite spot in Boston is the Boston Common. Very cliché answer, but I absolutely love willow trees. The balance between nature and city can be clearly seen. If you only want to see nature, or nature and the city in the background, you can sit a certain way and see the view. I have many fond memories walking through, relaxing, sketching, feeding squirrels, laughing with friends, petting dogs, and eating lunch here.  

Q: What do you think is an under-appreciated spot in Boston that you wish more people knew about? 

I believe the Boston Public Library is under-appreciated. I wouldn’t really think about going to a library if I were visiting a new city, but it is full of hidden gems and artistic architecture. There really are rooms for any type of mood you’re in. Even if you’re not the type to want to sit down and read a book or get your homework done, I believe the Library is a place everyone should walk through at least once and snag some pictures.

FEBRUARY ARTIST: CHRISTINA LAI

We featured two of Christina’s paintings around Prudential Center in February.

‘Last Minute Pt. 2’

‘Motion’

ARTIST STATEMENT

Even though these are my earlier pieces, it’s very humbling to see where I started. I hope when the audience looks at my old work, they don’t think “That’s it?” but more so “There’s more to this artist.” I feel like my old artistic self is a shell compared to where I am now.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Christina Lai, from Dorchester, was a young teen when she entered into Artists For Humanity. She always loved looking at different art. But when it came to creating her own, she felt like she had to follow a “guideline” or “set of rules” in order to make beautiful art. She would always overthink her work because she was afraid of “failing” and, for a while, was stuck with abstraction because of how conventional it was. As an artist, her work now is drastically different from her beginning stages at AFH. The pieces she creates now are more personal and raw in emotion. She journals in her free time and likes to also incorporate her writings into her art, along with collaging and watercolor.  

GET TO KNOW CHRISTINA

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

There’s this one spot in Quincy, called Nut Island. It’s a small island that has a big dock that stretches out to the sea. You’re able to see all of Boston and the highway leading to Dorchester. There’s a small trail around the island. I suggest going at night when the stars are out.

Q: What do you think is an under-appreciated spot in Boston that you wish more people knew about? 

Any Vietnamese place in Dorchester, such as Pho Hoa.

MARCH ARTIST: KYRA CRAWFORD

We are featuring two of Kyra’s paintings around Prudential Center through the end of March.

‘Sapphire Blu’

‘Flow Link’

ARTIST STATEMENT

I create art to show the world my emotions. Whether my paintings are dark or bright, my goal is to bring each vision to life. I use expressive colors to show my vibrant and loud personality, which may be perceived negatively at first. My pieces portray inner beauty and life experiences.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Kyra Crawford, a Boston teen artist, started painting at Artists for Humanity at fourteen. She focuses primarily on abstract splatter. Kyra was attracted to this style after her mentor, Jameel, introduced her to abstract art. Painting helps her release her feelings at that moment into her pieces, making each one unique. She creates these pieces by using acrylic and water, poured into condiment bottles, and squeezed onto the canvas. To create different patterns, she moves, rotates, and tilts her pieces to create new patterns. Kyra’s goals are to continue to express herself through each painting and to gather people to experience new textures through her pieces.

GET TO KNOW KYRA

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

I love to explore downtown Boston with my friends while shopping and grabbing a bite to eat. 

What is your favorite spot to eat in the city?

My favorite spot to eat is Eddie V’s Prime seafood. 

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 October and November 2023’s artists: Ananda Toulon and Keyonna Popplewell

Learn more about July, August, and September 2023’s artists: Meadow Weaver, Nora Mohamed, and Gia Minh Nguyen.

Learn more about April, May, and June 2023’s artists: Aaron Kennedy, Kayla Saint-Felix, and Irma Guerra.

Learn more about January, February, and March 2023’s artists: Axander Vazquez, Faith Christensen, and Jeanetta Narcisse.

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

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

Learn more about May, June, and July 2022’s artists: Sarah Richi, Sam Quintin, and Lydia Disla.