sparc! the ArtMobile Blog

The journey of sparc! the ArtMobile, a community-driven initiative of the Center for Art and Community Partnerships at Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

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NEW CHAIN LINK GALLERY

🎨 Chain Link Gallery featuring Sobek 📍 40 Geneva Ave, Dorchester, MA 📚 Across from the Grove Hall Boston Public Library

On Thursday, the sparc! the ArtMobile team installed our first Chain Link Gallery of the season featuring local muralist Jeremy “Sobek” Harrison. As the banners went up on Geneva Avenue, many neighbors stopped by to check out the new art and engage with the sparc! team.

Sobek’s artwork—now on view directly across from the Grove Hall Boston Public Library—bring his voice back into the neighborhood that shaped him, inviting passersby to experience the artistry and storytelling embedded in his practice.

We’re grateful for Sobek’s partnership, his generosity, and the depth of community-rooted expression he brings to every project.

✨ Stop by and see it in person ✨

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Final Fall Silver Session

sparc!’s Silver Sessions wrapped up on November 7th in the most joyful way! 🎨✨

For our final workshop was all about slowing down and savoring the creative process together. We refined our profile portraits, layering in thoughtful details, expressive color choices, and the unique features that make each artist’s silhouette shine.

We shared a delicious meal from local restaurant, Nubian Market. We filled the room with warmth, conversation, and community before diving back into our portraits. WE were delighted to celebrate Teaching Artist, Perla Mabel’s 30th birthday 🎉 with a colorful cake and sent everyone home with their very own Art2Go bags.

Over the past two weeks, artist Perla Mabel has guided us through playful contour drawings, watercolor explorations, partner portraits, color theory, and silhouette techniques. Seeing everyone bring their final portraits to life this week was truly inspiring 💛👏

Thank you to all our Silver Sessions artists for bringing so much heart and curiosity to the workshops each week!

Stay tuned for our Spring Silver Sessions series! 🌼✨

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Tyrone Maurice Adderley Lecture featuring Renée C. Neblett

Join us for the Tyrone Maurice Adderley Lecture Series, "The Future of Traditional Knowledge Systems: An Artist's Journey" and Reception

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Silver Session Recap

In the past month, guest artist Perla Mabel has been leading the “What Is Portraiture?”  workshop at the Shaw-Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library.

We started off creating playful self-portraits with contour drawing and watercolor, and portraits of one another that captured everyone’s unique creative style 💛

In week two, we explored color mixing and learned how to draw a silhouette — we can’t wait to see the finished portraits this week! 👏

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Silver Session Planning

✨ BTS with sparc! ✨ We love a good behind-the-scenes moment — especially when it involves our amazing guest teaching artist, Perla Mabel! Perla joined a recent sparc! team meeting to walk us through their first Silver Session workshop: Blind Contour Drawing 🎨🖊️

There are still a few workshop spots left for adults 55+ — come get creative with us! Oct 23rd and Nov 6th!

📍 Learn more + RSVP HERE

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STARTING NEXT WEEK

Dear Community,

Are you 55+?

Do you want to explore your own creativity?

Would you like to meet new people in a relaxed setting?

Then join us at the SILVER SESSIONS!

MassArt's sparc! the ArtMobile will host three FREE art workshops on Creativity and Portraiture on THURSDAYS, October 16, October 23, & November 6.Time: 12 noon - 2:00 pmat the Shaw-Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library, 149 Dudley Street. Space is limited. Lunch is provided. TO REGISTER: Click the link:  

sparc! Silver Sessions - What is a Portrait?

Join MassArt's sparc! the ArtMobile for a special 3-part portrait-making workshop series designed for adults ages 55 and up! Led by Afro-Car

or Call 617-879-7330 -

Email: [email protected]

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Roxbury Sunflower Project Garden Party!

🌻✨ Big news: sparc! is getting a brand-new look—LIVE at the Roxbury Sunflower Project Garden Party! ✨🌻

🎨 We’re beyond excited to welcome graffiti artist Sobek back to transform MassArt’s sparc! the ArtMobile 2.0 right before your eyes. 🎨 In 2021, Sobek and Apex spray-painted the first sparc! van, and now Sobek is back to give our new van the color and fresh new look it deserves!

Come for the live art, and stay for: 🎶 Jazz by The Makanda Project 🎶DJ Kitzner’s R&B & Old School Hip Hop Community Resource Tables Food Arts Activities Community, Sunflowers and Joy

📅 Friday, Sept 26 🕓 4–7 PM 📍 639 Warren St (at Crawford St), Roxbury ✅ Free + open to all | Rain or shine 👉 RSVP Here!

Let’s create, connect, and celebrate together. ✨

This year, RSP grew sunflowers that reached 15 feet tall! The garden is nearing the end of its season, so stop by in the next few days to see them before all the blooms are gone. 

(ID: First image, Sobek painting the sparc! van in 2021. Image two - Sunflowers earlier this summer in the garden.. Image three - Flyer for the event.)

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SAVE THE DATE!

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Join us - Jazz on the Green

🎨  Join sparc! for Jazz on the Green 📍 10 Putnam Street, Roxbury 🗓 Saturday, Sept 13 | ⏰ 1–4 PM

Join sparc! the ArtMobile and The Makanda Project for an afternoon of live jazz and live painting in a welcoming outdoor setting. Come paint with us, let your creativity and the music inspire you. 

🎨 Live painting all afternoon with sparc! the ArtMobile 🖌 Art supplies provided 👥 All ages welcome 🎟 No experience needed

🎷 Featuring guest tenor saxophonist Ricky Ford, with 3 original compositions inspired by poems by Langston Hughes, performed with poet Regie Gibson 🎻 City Strings United cello section joins the program 📝 Poet Vanessa Silva will read during intermission and host an open mic — bring your own poem or one you love

This is a free community event. Come make art, listen to music, and connect.

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August Recap

🎨✨ August with sparc!

This month, we got to be a part of two wonderful community events.

At the Grove Hall Wellness Event with Stop & Shop Nutrition Partners, participants made personalized wellness journals using collage—reflecting on self-care, creativity, health.

Later in the month, we were honored to take part in annual Fern Family Day—a joyful, art-filled gathering that celebrated the life and legacy of sculptor and public artist Fern Cunningham-Terry. We offered face painting, a coloring table, and gave away 50 Art2Go bags to families and children, all in the spirit of Fern’s deep belief in community access to art for all.

Thank you to our partners and community for showing up and making space for creativity this August. 💛

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Fern Family Day!

🎉 sparc! the ArtMobile is excited to join the Fern Family Collective at Fern Family Day 🎉 

Join us for a joyful day of creativity and community as we honor the life and legacy of beloved Boston artist and cultural leader Fern Cunningham-Terry 💛

🗓 Sunday, August 24th 🕛 12–5 PM (sparc! will be there from 12–3 PM) 📍 National Center of Afro-American Artists 300 Walnut Ave, Roxbury, MA

🎨 This year, instead of a hands-on activity, we’re giving out 50 Art2Go bags filled with fun art materials — including air-dry clay — to take home and get creative! 🎨 Plus, enjoy free face painting by Rocelyn, a member of the sparc! team!

This event features: 🎶 Live music 🎤 Performances & public speakers 🍽️ Delicious food 🧒🏾 Kids activities ✨ And more!

Fern’s bronze sculptures celebrate families and children across Boston’s communities of color. Her legacy lives on through art, education, and gatherings like this one.

Help spread the word — we hope to see you there! 💫

 (Fern’s children picture here)

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Join us in the Neighborhood!

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Join Us in the Neighborhood!

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sparc! at Stop & Shop Nutrition Partners Wellness Event

🎉 sparc! is joining the celebration in Grove Hall!Come be part of a day full of creativity, care, and community at the Stop & Shop Nutrition Partners Wellness Event 💛

🗓️ Friday, August 15, 2025 🕚 11 AM – 3 PM 📍 460 Blue Hill Ave (Stop & Shop parking lot)

✨ We’ll be hosting an all-ages journal decorating activity inspired by health and wellness — come make space for reflection, intention, and joy through art!

Plus: 🎶 Music & food 🎈 Kids activities 🩺 Health screens with the Harvard Family Van & Dana Farber 🎁 Giveaways 📚 Wellness resourcesThis event is free and open to all — come through and bring a friend!

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Juneteenth Reflection

🌟✨ What a powerful day in Roxbury! ✨🌟 We showed up, created, reflected, and celebrated at the 15th Annual Juneteenth Emancipation Observance Celebration 🎉✊🏿

Thank you to everyone who joined sparc! the ArtMobile at the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists🎨 Together, we: 🖌️ Collaboratively painted powerful images of freedom 📚 Crafted personal Juneteenth zines and decorated freedom quilt coloring sheets 💬 Shared stories, joy, and creativity across generations

From the flag-raising to the parade, and into an afternoon of music, art, and reflection—this was a day of Black joy, resilience, and imagination. 💥

🖤 Let’s keep honoring the legacy of Juneteenth through art and action all year long.

Photos by: Craig Bailey/Perspective Photo & Jenna Dolber

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Juneteenth Emancipation Observance Celebration

Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists

300 Walnut Ave, Roxbury

Thursday, June 19 @ 12:30 - 6 PM

Join us for a vibrant celebration of the 15th Annual Juneteenth Emancipation Observance! 

At this year's Juneteenth, we will come together to celebrate the journey of Black liberation, resilience, and freedom. All are welcome to enjoy parades, music, community vendors, refreshments, award presentations, and guest speakers. Don’t miss sparc! the ArtMobile’s zine-making and collaborative painting activities amplifying Black voices through creative expression.

Juneteenth is the oldest known observance commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, dating back to 1865. This important celebration is hosted annually on June 19th by the Boston Juneteenth Committee and the Museum of the National Center of Afro American Artists.

For a full schedule of the day's events click here!

Flag-Raising Ceremony @ 12:30PM

Dillaway-Thomas House in Roxbury Heritage State Park 

183 Roxbury St

Parade Start @ 1:45PM

Route: Dudley Street & Warren Street & Walnut Avenue

Start 183 Roxbury St — End 300 Walnut Ave

sparc! the ArtMobile Art-making Activities @ 2:30 - 5:30PM

Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists 

300 Walnut Ave

Observance Program @ 4PM

Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists 

300 Walnut Ave

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Roxbury Sunflower Project Recap

Roxbury Sunflower Project Season 8 — officially launched!  

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Grove Hall Public Library to kick off another year of planting beauty and community care in Roxbury and beyond.

We distributed free sunflower seeds, seedlings, and Kid’s Kits for Young Gardeners. sparc! the ArtMobile brought creativity with artmaking for all ages. From flower crowns and visors to bird feeder decoration, the event was full of joyful energy and sunshine.

Here’s to a season of growth, connection, and sunflowers blooming across the neighborhood!

Photo Credit:  Craig Bailey/Perspective Photo