“Imagination Over Reality” is an inspiring, collaborative mural between developers, a nonprofit and a rock icon—creating a whole lot of good! AFH and the legendary multi-media artist David Byrne created a 120' mural that can be publicly viewed along the interior public passageway in the lobby of CRISPR Therapeutics' HQ in South Boston. Our Photography and Video Production Studio captured the story and documented this unlikely partnership, that keeps on giving!

"The skill is just amazing! You'd be lucky to get this from any artist and here you're getting it from young artists who are doing incredible work!" —David Byrne, Artist

Creative Placemaking! Our 3D Design Studio designed, fabricated and installed whimsically oversized blades of grass, flowers and buds along a chain-link fence on A St. in South Boston. Commissioned by Procter & Gamble, the installation is made from aluminum composite and spans 84’ feet, with blades of grass reaching 6.5’ in height. This phased installation adds a sense of delight, summer green and blossoms to an otherwise cement laden, urban street.

In celebration of Hanukkah, BXP featured the luminous print Candy Candelabra by AFH teen artist Tiesha Semedo in the windows of the Prudential Center. Tiesha created the original piece in our Printmaking Studio. It was then handed off to our Photography Studio to shoot in parts at high-res and then meticulously stitch back together for it to scale onto the huge windows of the Prudential Center. This special holiday display, enjoyed by both passersby on the street and those walking its interior, stemmed from our ongoing partnership with BXP. In particular, the current digital exhibition featuring AFH teens’ artwork throughout the Pru’s interior each month.

Harvard University’s A.R.T. commissioned us to paint a large-scale backdrop for their musical – 1776 – the retelling of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the founding fathers - this time around, to include those who were not in the room. The AFH team took on the challenge beautifully, producing a mesmerizing large-scale painting.  Surpassing their expectations, A.R.T. decided to feature the painting for future runs of the musical. The painting, and reproductions based off of a high-res photo shoot by our Photography Studio, will travel to 13 cities around the country in 2023 to catalyze conversations with Americans. Our Video Production Studio captured the process and impact.

In collaboration with the WBNA and support from the BPDA, AFH designed three stainless steel bike racks and installed two of each design in strategic locations along West Broadway in South Boston, known locally as “Southie.” Driven by the City’s vision of a space enhanced by sustainable goals, thoughtful transportation, and arts and culture, the “Hi Southie” design brands the neighborhood and welcomes visitors.

In partnership with Boston College, Brighton Main Streets, the Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation and some volunteer community members, AFH designed, fabricated and installed a series of functional, artistic bike racks for the Brighton streetscape. The eight racks not only celebrate notions of the socio-historic story of the Brighton community, but also enhance the public realm as vehicles of public art and expression.

Design and fabricated an exterior, sculptural monument sign as a prominent feature to the entrance of Zinc Luxury Apartments. Informed by Zinc's brand, the design was inspired by an AFH teen bringing the letter "z" to life through the power of origami.

AFH conceived, designed and installed "The Window Walk" art Installation at Suffolk Downs. As part of the opening of The Track at Suffolk Downs, the installation leverages the vast length of the iconic grandstand windows and creates six different experiences that are in alignment with the future of the public space. AFH's largest and most ambitious graphic project to date, the installation transforms the iconic racetrack into a new, vibrant community and is a perfect example of connecting a progressive, values-based company and a creative teen arts enterprise to build more inclusive spaces that express young, imaginative voices and invite all to participate in the fun.

Designed and painted a mural depicting spirit-like renditions of some of the endangered species inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean, it aims to inspire action. As part of PangeaSeed Foundation’s groundbreaking public art program Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans, the mural is one of 15 public murals created throughout East Boston contributing to 400 murals in 16 countries calling attention to climate change.

AFH partnered with Invesco Real Estate to design and fabricate the three-dimensional installation Tides for the exterior wall facing Q Park at 22 Boston Wharf Road, a highly visible and trafficked location in one of Boston's landmark districts. Conceptualized by our teen designer Janet Tan, Tides was developed and brought to life by our 3D Design Studio team. Tides was created to artistically reflect the physical alignment of Fort Point Arts District with the harbor. As this vibrant neighborhood continues to grow and change, the constancy of the tides remains an unwavering link to the past.

THIS IS NOW! Over three consecutive evenings, teen-inspired art from our Voices of the Future collection was projected on well-known Boston landmarks and live-streamed for public viewing. The talent, feelings and concerns of AFH fine artists, designers, and animators was shared for all to see! Our “intersectional” times call for our teen voices to be raised in response. Our first Community Arts Initiative, the project kickstarted our new Creative Technology Studio. Our Graphic Design Studio designed the event logo.

Sponsors: National Grid, Highland Street Foundation, and AFH Community Arts Initiative Partners: Masary Studios, 42 Degrees North Media, The Strand Theatre, Haley House Bakery Cafe, and J.P. Licks

Designed and installed Boston’s FIRST art installation on a public stairwell. Spanning 54 6” risers along this heavily traversed stairwell, the graphic mural transformed the flight of stairs into a spectacular passageway, offering a perfect Instagrammable moment for all!

In honor of their now 60th year of building leaders on the court, in the classroom, and in the Greater Boston Community, AFH partnered with STEC to create a mural that enlivens their Blue Hill Avenue home, inspiring generations to come to excel in all facets of their lives. The mural depicts two of the most iconic African-American tennis players in history—Arthur Ashe and Venus Williams—both who have given tennis clinics at STEC during their 60 years of providing a nurturing, healthy, and safe space for youth to learn, play, and grow. AFH's Community Arts Initiative made a grant to STEC to underwrite this tribute.

Designed and fabricated four bike racks that artistically brand a heavily traveled area of “The Fenway.” The designs serve not only as functional street furniture/security for bicyclists, but also as sculptural art that celebrates the neighborhood as a destination for activity and commerce. The racks are strategically situated in the vibrant Brookline Avenue/Boylston Street corridor.

Designed a celebratory story in the form of a large-scale, graphic mural for the 2019 Boston Marathon. Wrapping a building at the finish line, the design reflects a story of human perseverance.

Commissioned to create a mural on the sidewall of the Client’s newly acquired property—the site of Family Affair Restaurant. The mural speaks to the agency of building social ties while exploring vulnerability, gender identity, and pre-colonial traditions.

Designed and painted a large-scale mural inspired by AFH alumni Winnie Mei’s “Alignment” and a signature painted scrim that speaks to the arts of the Fenway in response to a call to brighten up the dreary Charles Gate Bridge underpass and its adjacent cement wall.

Design and fabricated a 12’ aluminum sculpture for the elevated outdoor terrace at Zinc Luxury Apartments. The element zinc and the periodic table of elements inspired the bright & colorful sculptural piece, to be seen by passengers on the Green Line extension upon completion.

Designed and constructed “reBloom” for the lobby of Bank of America's Boston headquarters as a tribute and commitment to recycling and the environmental movement. This 13’ sculpture features a vase constructed of entirely of recycled materials.

Designed for the lobby of the State Street building in Boston’s Innovation District, this botanically inspired array of 47 hand-sprayed metal panels mimics nature’s movement and color and brings echoes of the adjacent park to the corporate indoors.

Designed and fabricated a bench that serves as a public art sculpture for the interior space of the MBTA station, located adjacent to Assembly Square. The design was inspired by the taillight of the Ford Edsel, a vehicle previously produced at the former Ford Motor Company assembly plant that closed its doors in 1958.

Designed and created a sculpture of the recycle symbol comprised of aluminum and 6,000 recycled bottle caps. The sculpture was installed at Logan Airport in honor of Earth Day.

Create and installed a large-scale, collaborative abstract painting together with Boston artists Lynette Shaw and Nate Swain. The painted scrim beautified the wall of MAX Ultimate Food’s Roxbury facility.

In collaboration with Allston community organizations—Allston Village Main Streets and Allston—Brighton Community Development Corporation, designed four unique bike rack designs and fabricated and installed 16 racks in strategic locations around Allston. The designs are driven by the City’s vision of a space enhanced by sustainable goals, thoughtful transportation, and arts and culture.

Designed a vibrant, culturally sensitive, location-inspired “unicorn” Hubway bike wraps for the City of Boston’s ‘Boston Bikes’ initiative and related station signage.

Designed and executed a custom mural highlighting different modes of transportation for the SBWTC bike storage room. This mural welcomes bike riders as they park their bikes at an otherwise utilitarian space.

Designed, fabricated, and installed four artistic bike racks along Washington Street in collaboration with the community organization Washington Gateway Main Street. The design was inspired by the iron filigree embellishments found on the street’s historic architecture.

Designed and fabricated luminous waves of colorized aluminum ribbons, threaded with wire rope and framed with stainless steel hardware.

Designed a four-sided vehicle wrap for the white surfaces of one truck in the Client’s truck fleet. The design is inspired by the flying machines of Leonardo di Vinci.

The fingerprint became the inspiration for a 20’ container mural installation ‘Set It Straight, Miles To Go.’ Representing young people living across marginalized communities in Boston, the mural reflects their mark on the city - standing up to be seen and heard.

Designed and fabricated four sculptures playfully designed as larger-than-life flowers, transforming areas under construction into a temporary art playground with instagrammable moments.