Saturday should be a beautiful day to paint with sparc! and listen to Jazz!! You're invited to The Makanda Project’s final concert of the summer. Join sparc! the ArtMobile for an open air painting studio during the annual September Makanda Ken McIntyre birthday celebration.
Jazz on the Green will be held at the First Church in Roxbury, 10 Putnam Street, Roxbury (rain location: inside church) - 1pm-4pm
Jazz on the Green (2019) featuring guest artist Robert Murrell.
At intermission there will be poetry by Vanessa Silva and a performance by student vocalists from the Butterfly Project. The music program will consist entirely of McIntyre compositions, including some of Makanda’s more recent “discoveries” as the ensemble continue to explore his large body of unrecorded work, and continue becoming more and more impressed with his brilliance as a composer.
Jazz on the Green (2021) featuring guest artist and former sparc! Team member Beatriz Whitehill
This event is for all ages and stages. Materials provided by sparc!
Jazz on the Green (2019) with community member and her wonderful painting
Renée Neblett’s talk on her work and mission with the Kokrobritey Institute was deeply moving. As someone who is passionate about sustainability and its connection with the arts, I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about eco-conscious art and design initiatives. I am a current fashion design student at MassArt, entering my final year. My approach to my studies has been hyper-focused on sustainable alternatives to the negative global impact of the fashion industry. I know that Ghana has been overwhelmingly impacted by imported second hand garments and textile waste, so I was curious to learn what the Kokrobitey Institute is doing to alleviate this issue.
The talk was eye-opening. Ms. Neblett has built an innovative educational program that trains community members, amplifies their creativity, lifts up local traditions, cherishes ancestral knowledge, and prepares the next generation of Ghanaian creators and changemakers. Kokrobitey takes trash out of the streets and landfills and transforms it into furniture, clothing, jewelry, home decor, and more. Advertisement banners become satchels and pouches, glass bottles become earrings and construction supplements, denim jeans become tapestries and furniture upholstery, and much more. With a sewing studio, a glass kiln, a woodworking shop, a medicinal and nutritional garden, all in a self-constructed building, Kokrobitey is an innovative example of holistic environmental sustainability, such that we should all strive to achieve within our own communities.
I was deeply inspired by this talk and the discussion afterwards. I look forward to learning much more about the Kokrobritey Institute and how I may someday be able to transform my vision for a cleaner, more just fashion industry into a broader positive movement to protect the environment and the culture that kept us near it.
Please check out the links below to learn about Renée and the African Renaissance. Other videos and information are available by visiting the Kokrobitey Institute website.African Renaissance. Other
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Renée C. Neblett founded the Kokrobitey Institute three decades ago; its environmental mission has never been more urgent.
🎨 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.
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! 🌼✨
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! 👏
✨ 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!
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:
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
