Love Language, 2023

Artwork created by a youth-led team from Artists For Humanity’s 3D Design Studio.

Developed by a team of 20 youth from AFH’s 3D Design Studio in the spring of 2022, Love Language symbolizes the constant evolution of society and the influences Black culture has had on fashion, beauty, music, food, and language. Comprised of four overlapping ovals, the intersection of these elliptical shapes represents how deeply connected these aspects are with each other and how intertwined Black cultural influence is with American society at large. An ode to the past and a foundation for the future, Love Language acknowledges the influential people of the past—thanking them for their contribution while creating space for new creative endeavors from Boston’s up and coming generations.

  • Artists for Humanity (AFH) provides under-resourced Boston teens the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in art and design. AFH is built on the philosophy that engagement in the creative process is a powerful force for social change, and that creative entrepreneurship is a productive and life-changing opportunity for young people. The 3D Design Studio at Artists for Humanity is a group of teen and adult artists and designers, motivated by the creative process as a catalyst for social change. Teen designers are supported by a dedicated team of mentors to exchange, experiment, inspire, and create innovative design solutions for a wide variety of clients. Commissions range from artistic bike racks, furniture, public sculptures, and three-dimensional wall art. The Studio provides a platform for teen designers to explore and express their ideas and creativity and engage in public dialogue.

  • Lead Teen Designer:

    Nevaeh Johnson (she/her)

     

    Teens & Mentors:

    Aaliyah M. Hernandez (she/her); Aaron Arthur Kennedy (he/him); Adon Bodden (he/him); Andre Allen (he/him); Bahja Salad (she/her); Daniel White (he/him); Derrick Rogers (he/him); Dyllan Nguyen (all pronouns); Lauren Russo (all pronouns); Haidan Hodgson (she/her); Hannah Fallon (she/her); Jalitsa Jimenez (they/she); Janet Tan (she/her); Jillian Tran (she/her); JingYi Li (she/her); Julie Liu (she/her); Jonathan Guaman (she/her); Jostin Rosario (he/him); Kydrianna Amparo (she/her); Lennix Pabon (he/him); Luis Santana (he/him); Matthew Crystal Jr. (they/them); Max Rubinstein (he/him); Nga Truong (she/her); Preston Tran (he/him); Reba McCants-Williams (she/her); Ryo Matsuki (all pronouns); Simon Tran (he/him); Songxuan Le (she/her); Yingyi Xiong (she/her)

  • The Greenway Public Art Program is exclusively funded through grants and private sources. This project in particular was generously supported by The Barr Foundation, Boston Cultural Council/Reopen Creative Boston Fund administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, and by Artists For Humanity’s Community Arts Initiative, including a dedicated grant from National Grid in support of project-based STEM learning experiences for youth.