Portrait Project: Honoring 250 Years of Changemakers

In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, teen artists from Artists for Humanity (AFH) present a series of portraits honoring individuals who have shaped Boston and local Massachusetts communities, from the nation’s founding to the present day. Through paintings, digital prints, and three-dimensional works, these young artists have researched important figures throughout our 250 years of American history, and more specifically local history, bringing attention to both widely recognized figures and those whose stories are lesser known. 

Frederick Douglass, one of the most photographed Americans of the nineteenth century, is a name many recognize. But what about Elma Lewis or Edmonia Lewis? This exhibition invites visitors to discover changemakers whose contributions may not always appear in textbooks, yet whose stories helped shape our various communities’ cultural, political, and creative life.

Each artwork included in this exhibition was created by a teen participating in the Artists for Humanity program. For the past 35 years, teen artists have been developing their voices through mentorship and paid professional experiences in the arts. As we celebrate these anniversaries, both of AFH and our country, we reflect on how our own story is deeply intertwined with that of our local community, responding to its transformations, and continuing to support young people as they build their futures. By celebrating the stories of both historical figures and emerging teen artists, we encourage visitors to look both backward and forward, considering how our past informs our future, and how creativity, community, and equity continue to shape our evolving story.

Exhibition Duration: June 10 – August 17, 2026

Event Timing: Wednesday, June 10, 2026

• Artist Talk: Wednesday, June 10, 5pm–6pm

• Opening Reception: Wednesday, June 10, 6pm–8pm

Location: The AFH Gallery

Contact: exhibitions@afhboston.org

https://www.afhboston.org/events