About the Institute
April 7, 2017
New student art exhibition opens at Edward M. Kennedy Institute
Immigrant student-artists from the Boston Public School collaborate to create monumental tribute to the Statue of Liberty
BOSTON – This week, a new student art exhibition opened at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. From Her Beacon is made up of nine original murals dedicated to the Statue of Liberty. The murals were painted by Boston Public Schools immigrant student-artists at Boston International Newcomers Academy located in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
More than 140 young people collaborated to create a monumental tribute to the Statue of Liberty under the direction of art instructors Celoni Espinola and James Hobin. Students contributed to this collective work as part of Diversity and Democracy Day, a special day of civic programming at Boston International Newcomers Academy. Each rectangular block of the mural was painted by a different student.
“Our students at Boston International Newcomers Academy all share incredible perspectives and are consistently some of our most dedicated learners in our district,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang. “I thank the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for elevating the voices of our remarkable students.”
“We’re enormously proud to host this exhibition,” said Jean MacCormack, President of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. “Boston International Newcomers Academy and the Kennedy Institute both have a commitment to civic engagement at their core. What’s more, Senator Kennedy advocated for strengthening cultural institutions and was the first United States Senator to have a senior staffer dedicated to the arts. We can think of no better way to honor that legacy than to highlight the impressive talents of the next generation of leaders and artists.”
The title of the work From Her Beacon comes from the Emma Lazarus (1849–1887) sonnet “The New Colossus,” which includes the line, “From her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome.” The sonnet was written by Lazarus and donated to an auction organized to raise funds for a pedestal for the Statue of Liberty. In 1903, a plaque engraved with the poem was hung the base of the statue.
From Her Beacon will be on display at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute through May 31, 2017. The Institute is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Massachusetts residents 17 years of age and younger are admitted to the Institute free of charge.
During April school vacation week, Boston Public Schools art instructor James Hobin will lead a free painting workshop for children and families at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. The workshop will take place on Friday, April 21, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
About the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of our communities. Massachusetts residents 17 years of age and younger are admitted to the Institute free of charge. For more information, please visit emkinstitute.org.
About Boston International High School Newcomers Academy
Boston International High School Newcomers Academy (BINcA) is a Boston Public School that embraces new immigrant adolescent English language learner and their families. BINcA partners with families and the community to ensure students will be college and career ready and motivated to pursue a life of learning and civic engagement by instilling the habits of ownership, perseverance, expression, and service. The principal of Boston International Newcomers Academy is Dr. Thomas King. For more information, please visit bostonpublicschools.org/binca.
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