In response to the Marathon bombings and all the subsequent events of  last week, Beth Balliro of the Art Education Department invited all in the college community to come to South 109 on Thursday, April 25 between 8:30 and 12 to make small 2D art works for the students of Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester.  Martin Richard, the eight-year-old boy killed in the bombing, was a student at the school, as is his sister, who was injured. His mother, also injured, is the school librarian.

Last week’s events  hit very close to home for many of us, and in this workshop students, faculty, staff, and alumni  responded to violence with art.  Over the course of the morning a wall of the 3″ square canvases went up, as participants painted and collaged images of animals, flowers, a ballet dancer, a city skyline, and all kinds of  subjects meant to appeal to the children.

Beth Balliro began her teaching career at the Neighborhood House Charter School. Our TPP alumna Maura (Gately) Jereb is the Creative Arts Department Head,  and our BFA alumna Brandi Hood is also an art teacher there.

Please read Beth Balliro’s letter about the project:

Dear Mass. Art Community:

As we work to collectively regain our bearings after the harrowing events of last week, the Art Education Department welcomes your participation in an art-sharing project.

As you likely know, the family most affected by the tragedy was part of a Dorchester school community.   The Neighborhood House Charter School is very dear to my heart, as it is where I first started my art teaching career.  The loss of 8 year old Martin Richard, and the injuries to his sister who also attends the school, and his mother who is the librarian, will continue to be immeasurable for that community.

Our project will provide a small gesture of artful solidarity.  We ask members of the Mass. Art community to help us generate a small 2D artwork for each student of the elementary school (415 total).  These works will be warm, festive and kid-friendly, and generated on panels we will provide.  They will be included in the art-supply kits we are assembling as gifts for each NHCS student.

Join us this Thursday, April 25 between 8:30 and 12 in South 109.

We will be generating the works, sharing stories, and celebrating the collective energy that will help our communities begin to heal.

With appreciation,

Beth Balliro