Thanks to Brandeis University, we had the pleasure of hosting Segal Fellow, Imani Islam as an intern for the summer. With the next semester around the corner, she opted to share her reflections on her time with us below as a parting gift.
“The art that has been placed throughout our Hastings House shelter adds cheer and personality to what were previously bare, beige walls. I frequently overhear our participants commenting on the various pieces of art, talking to their children about them, and just standing and silently observing the new works that have appeared to brighten up … Continue reading EMPath Answers our Fast Five Questions
FriendshipWorks’ mission is to reduce social isolation, enhance quality of life, and preserve the dignity of older adults in Greater Boston. Since 1984 they have accomplished this by recruiting and training volunteers of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds who provide friendship, advocacy, education, assistance and emotional support.
When asked to join the selection committee Michelle Perry, the Catholic Charities Adult Basic Education Program Coordinator, shared that she was “so excited about the opportunity to bring more beauty into our work space. It reminded me of a quote that I heard years ago: ‘…because art is never a luxury.’ I was pleasantly surprised to … Continue reading Catholic Charities’ Yawkey Center
“One of the goals of BEST seeking art from The Art Connection was to expose our job seeker clients to the professional atmosphere they’ll encounter at our luxury employer properties. Mission accomplished!,” exclaims Assistant Director Joan Abbot. Through art placement, BEST has received 20 works of art in a variety of mediums thanks to the … Continue reading BEST Corp.
“In 2006, Project Hope opened a Community Building on Dudley Street – the first LEED Silver certified, earth-friendly building in Roxbury – to serve as its headquarters and a neighborhood center for job training, adult education, housing counseling, community empowerment, and more. Shortly after that time we were the recipients of several pieces of art … Continue reading Project Hope
The Violence Intervention Advocacy Program (VIAP) treats all victims of violence who enter via the Emergency Department at Boston Medical Center. It is a peer model run program that provides crisis intervention, case management, mental health services, and reconnection to educational, vocational, and other community services. VIAP assists victims of violence and their families in … Continue reading Violence Intervention Advocacy Program
“Clients often tell us that the art reminds them of home,” says Jacob Brescia-Weiler, a summer intern at Project Citizenship. Considering that Project Citizenship’s mission is to educate immigrants about the benefits of citizenship, and to help permanent residents overcome barriers to naturalization, getting clients to feel at home in their facilities is a big deal.
“I think we have to get the chromosomes!” isn’t a typical comment offered during a placement visit, but for Just-A-Start Corporation’s art selection committee, biological themes were a rallying cry. The group, who selected artwork for their newly leased Biomedical Careers Program space, was comprised of past program participants as well as staff members from … Continue reading Just-A-Start Corporation
The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Kennedy CHC) believes everyone has the right to accessible, high quality, comprehensive, integrated and compassionate health care, regardless of their ability to pay. They have received artwork for clinics in Framingham, Milford, and Worcester!
The GLBTQ Domestic Violence Project (GLBTQ-DVP) specializes in services for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence located in Southern New England. They provide services to all victims and survivors regardless of gender identity/expression or sexual orientation. GLBTQ-DVP is a grassroots organization, formerly called the Gay Men’s … Continue reading GLBTQ Domestic Violence Project
Kit Clark Senior Services has helped older adults in Greater Boston live with dignity and independence in the community since 1974. Located in Dorchester and serving a very diverse population by offering programming in five languages, this center often serves as a home away from home for seniors. About 100 seniors visit the center every … Continue reading Kit Clark Senior Services
Roxbury Community College is a comprehensive, urban, student-centered, open-access community college providing higher education learning opportunities. They have received 75 art donations through The Art Connection at placements in 2005, 2012, and 2013. Their collection represents an array of diverse artistic mediums. The primary mission of Roxbury Community College (RCC) is to serve the needs … Continue reading Roxbury Community College
The Asian American Civic Association has received two placements of art over the course of its two year relationship with The Art Connection and now own a collection of 35 vibrant pieces on display in their Chinatown building. Their collection has recently expanded again with six additional works donated by Art Connection founder Fay Chandler … Continue reading Asian American Civic Association
Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center is a critical source for primary health, oral health, behavioral health, ancillary health, and community health services to a target population that is medically underserved with a myriad of health challenges and many disparities.
Each year we partner with 20 to 30 Boston community nonprofits to “bring art to life.” Here, we feature some of our art recipients. What is their story? How have we made a difference? Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center HSNCH is a critical source for primary health, oral health, behavioral health, ancillary health, and community health … Continue reading The Art Connection – Featured Agencies
The fabric collage entitled “Buddha’s Cloak” by Clara Wainwright was recently donated to Youville House in Cambridge, MA. Youville House is a Catholic not for profit assisted living residence and is part of Covenant Health Systems, a New England-wide, health care, elder care and social service system. Their mission is to affirm life to the … Continue reading Youville House
ShortStop Transitional Housing is a community-based program that provides housing and transitional care for homeless young adults ages 18- 22. It is now home for 12 young people receiving assistance to make successful transitions to stable, permanent, independent living situations and adulthood. “We were not only able to attain our goal … Continue reading Wayside Youth & Family – ShortStop
Volunteer Lawyers Project received their second placement of art this winter. With a diverse and exciting collection, their office is now an even more welcoming place for clients and their families in need of pro bono legal services ranging from brief advice to courtroom representation. Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) was established in 1977 … Continue reading Volunteer Lawyers Project
Victory Programs mission is to open doors to recovery, hope and community to individuals and families facing homelessness, addiction, or other chronic illnesses. They have received 100 works at five of their 17 sites. The Art Connection most recently facilitated a placement for two of Victory Programs’ treatment programs in Jamaica Plain; the Living and … Continue reading Victory Programs- Womens Hope and LARC
Serving more than 2,911 men, women and children in just the last year, FamilyAid Boston (formerly Travelers Aid Family Services) is one of the largest service providers to homeless families in Massachusetts – families who are welcomed to their offices by 34 works of original art donated through The Art Connection. FamilyAid Boston works with … Continue reading FamilyAid Boston
Toward Independent Living and Learning’s (TILL, Inc.) mission is to create community based residential, vocational, and support services to help people reach their full potential and attain an optimal quality of life. This season, TILL in Watertown received their 1st placement of 25 original works of art. TILL developed and operates innovative services for individuals … Continue reading TILL, Watertown
Still Harbor is committed to exploring the links between spirituality and social justice through its programs and partnerships. It supports and accompanies individuals and organizations, regardless of belief or circumstance, as they wrestle with questions of personal meaning, purpose, and social concern. Still Harbor’s programs are intended to raise awareness about the self and the … Continue reading Still Harbor
Spectrum Health Systems’ new Women and Children’s Center recently opened its doors to serve its clients; and one of the first opportunities offered to the new residents was the chance to select twenty works of art for their new home through The Art Connection. Spectrum is a nonprofit substance abuse and mental health … Continue reading Spectrum Health Women and Children’s Center
Spectrum Adult Day Health Center provides individualized programming and activities to promote positive feelings and self-esteem for participants with mild to moderate dementia. They received 22 artworks in September 2011. Donated artwork has enhanced their already attractive environment, which was uniquely designed to accommodate the cognitive changes individuals with memory disorders face as their disease … Continue reading Spectrum Adult Day Health Center, North Andover
The Art Connection has partnered with Sherrill House for over three years and has facilitated the placement of 60 works of original art that are meaningful and enjoyable to the people who look at it each and every day, thereby creating dialogue, healing, and relationships between residents, staff, families, and friends. Sherrill House is … Continue reading Sherrill House
In May 2008, The Art Connection facilitated a placement of art at this program for adolescent males involved with the Department of Children and Families; allowing the young men the opportunity to share their thoughts on artwork in a new way. They chose both abstract and representational work to add color to their living space … Continue reading Sargent House
Rogerson Roslindale Adult Day Health Program offers a daily program of wellness and nursing services, social service assistance, nutrition, exercise, and recreational programs for disabled adults in their community. Their new collection of 14 original artworks will be celebrated as part of Roslindale Open Studies on November 7. Rogreson’s new artwork hangs in the entry, … Continue reading Rogerson Adult Day
Situated under the highway near a salt pile and tow lot in a non-descript building, the Opioid Treatment Program of the Boston Public Health Commission provides free medication-assisted substance abuse services to primarily poor, uninsured, homeless, pregnant, and medically compromised individuals. Most people would pass by without even noticing it was there. But step inside, … Continue reading Opioid Treatment Program
North Suffolk Mental Health Association (NSMHA) helps their clients achieve independence by providing a myriad of treatment and rehabilitation services as diverse as the individuals found in their waiting areas. The Art Connection has placed artwork in two of NSMHA’s facilities, the Chelsea Clinic in January 2013, and the Revere Counseling Center in February 2012. … Continue reading North Suffolk Mental Health Association
New England Center for Arts & Technology (NECAT) provides programs to engage and inspire disadvantaged youth and adults who are unemployed, underemployed, or transitioning from public assistance programs through tuition-free, hands-on arts and job training programs. NECAT’s mission is that their students experience fulfillment and strengthened personal identities from their contributions to the community and … Continue reading New England Center for Arts and Technology
Lynn Home for Women’s Washington Square Residence provides affordable housing and the security of a furnished, managed home. Lisa Connolly, Executive Director says “In this, our 100th anniversary, we are excited to bring original art directly into our residents’ lives”. The diverse population of residents includes students, working, and retired people, those who need wheelchair … Continue reading Lynn Home for Women
The Lowell Transitional Living Center (LTLC) provides the most critical services to vulnerable adults in Lowell by offering a place for homeless adults to get food, shelter, stability and be treated with dignity. The LTLC provides emergency shelter for 90 adults with 45 additional beds in winter months and during inclement weather to ensure that … Continue reading Lowell Transitional Living Center
Hope House recently moved into a new building and received 20 original artworks through The Art Connection that transformed it from a “building” to a “home.” Clients who are committed to recovery from addiction made up the art selection committee along with staff, and all are quite enthusiastic about their new art collection. Check out pics … Continue reading Hope House
Homeowner’s Rehab, Inc. (HRI) is a non-profit founded in 1972, whose main goal is the development of affordable housing in the city of Cambridge. HRI, Inc. recently purchased a large apartment building in Inman Square that houses many senior citizens and disabled adults. They received 25 works of art in February 2012. HRI has shifted … Continue reading Homeowner’s Rehab, Inc.
The Elder Service Plan Winthrop’s center is now home to 23 works of original artworks. The Elder Service Plan helps seniors live in their own homes for as long as possible by providing quality day programs. The facility is located one block from Winthrop Beach and features a lovely activity room where education, recreation, and … Continue reading Elder Service Plan Winthrop
The Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center is a Massachusetts Department of Mental Health 60-bed psychiatric in-patient facility. They provide quality, integrated care and support towards recovery for individuals needing forensic evaluation and those with mental illness who require continuing care. The staff at the Fuller works to create an environment for their clients that fosters … Continue reading Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center
Students from City on a Hill Charter School in Roxbury had the opportunity to transform their space by participating in a lively and engaging art selection process in February as they worked together to make choices to beautify their school with original art. Students commented on what it was like to be a part of … Continue reading City on a Hill
Whidden Hospital in Everett is a recent recipient of 19 original works by 12 artists. According to Deborah Murphy, the hospital administrator, “the response has been wonderful. The works not only enhance the hospital’s physical space but stimulate social engagement in an extremely positive manner.” Whidden is a busy community hospital that serves … Continue reading CHA – Whidden Hospital
Central Boston Elder Services is one of the largest nonprofit home care agencies in Massachusetts. The agency has been helping seniors live independently since 1974 and is pleased to open the Dudley Square Elderly Housing Development this year. “This project is a remarkable accomplishment for the agency and continues our goal of assisting in the … Continue reading Central Boston Elder Services
CASPAR, Inc. has been providing direct service to adults and youth confronting alcoholism and addiction for over 40 years. Fifty nine artworks now hang at the 107-bed emergency shelter in Cambridge and at an addictions recovery center and the Support Services Center in Somerville. Our most recent placement with CASPAR was at the Emergency Services … Continue reading CASPAR
On December 9th, 2008, clients from the substance abuse program at Casa Esperanza joined with staff, artists, and representatives from The Art Connection to celebrate their new installation of original art. The group toured the 25 artworks that were donated by local artists through The Art Connection and shared reflections on the process of selecting … Continue reading Casa Esperanza
High unemployment rates translate into many job seekers experiencing stress as they search for their next job. Career Source in Cambridge can now welcome them with color and encourage them with inspiring creative spirit thanks to their new collection of 20 original works of art via The Art Connection. Career Source is a comprehensive … Continue reading Career Source
The Art Connection partnered with the Boston Public Health Commission to bring artwork into their central intake, outpatient substance abuse clinic, youth program, community health education program and mom’s project. 20 original works of art now grace their walls with more on the way! The Boston Public Health Commission’s mission is to protect, promote, … Continue reading Boston Public Health Commission
For the first time, we are featuring two agencies as they both received artwork from us and are coincidentally in the same building! Both recently moved to different floors at 189 Cambridge Street, a building that is now bursting with 36 new works of art to inspire the youth who access services there. Adolescent … Continue reading Adolescent Consultation Services/Center for Family Connections
Pine Street Inn is the largest resource for homeless men and women in New England. With the belief that everybody deserves a place to call home, the organization now houses more than 800 people at 36 locations in Boston and Brookline. They have received 62 artworks at two sites since 2000.
