#joymaking

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! 

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!

🎨  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

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 

Roxbury Sunflower Project

Saturday, May 10 @ 10AM - 1PM  

Grove Hall Public Library

41 Geneva Avenue, Dorchester, MA

Join us for the 8th opening season of the Roxbury Sunflower Project!

Pick up your free sunflower seeds, seedlings and Kid’s Kits. MassArt’s sparc! the ArtMobile will host artmaking activities for all ages.

Make Your Mark on sparc!

Boston’s Live Art Mural Event Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary

Saturday, May 10 @ 12 - 6PM  

Alfredo’s Auto Body

58 Geneva Ave, Dorchester

Celebrate 5 years of Back Against the Wall: Graffiti in Grove Hall!

Join us for live mural painting, hands-on art, free sparc! the ArtMobile workshops, and community vibes.

This year, we invite you to Make Your Mark on sparc!

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Grove Hall Public Library for an inspiring evening with Silvia López Chavez! 

Silvia shared stories behind her vibrant public art practice—centering community, joy, and the power of place. Her work reminds us how powerful belonging in public art is! 

We’re so grateful to Silvia for sharing her process, and to all who came out to be in conversation with her.  

Make sure to check out her work displayed on Geneva Ave as part of sparc!’s Chain Link Gallery exhibition!