Celebrating Black History Month Through the City Hall Galleries

Throughout the year we showcase everything from emerging artists’ work, to artwork by City employees and Boston Public Schools students, to artists collectives and groups that host annual exhibitions. We’re proud to highlight four incredible shows that we have up throughout the month of February. Take a look at some of the artists we’re highlighting during Black History Month below:

HAAM is a collective that was founded in 1995 and is made up of more than 40 artists and their friends, art lovers, and volunteers. Every year, they host an annual exhibition in City Hall that celebrates Haitian art and the Haitian community’s contributions to the cultural life of Massachusetts.

This year’s exhibit is called “Still Arts Rise II”, and it is unique because it features work solely by women artists, including one artist that is eight years old! These 10 artists have consistently continued to produce artworks throughout the pandemic, keeping themes such as resilience, community, equity, and solidarity at the forefront.

HAAM is holding a reception on February 25 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. in the 3rd floor Scollay Square Gallery. Mayor Michelle Wu and City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune will be in attendance to recognize the artists for their commitment to enhancing Boston’s cultural sector. 

The Emerging Gallery on the 8th floor is showcasing a series of paintings by Al McClain, a former NBA player who grew up in Boston. McClain explains that the COVID-19 pandemic inspired him to get back into this art form that he grew up loving.

“I haven’t drawn or painted since the '80s, and when COVID-19 arrived and we were mandated to work virtually, I decided to do things that I love.  These paintings that you see are a reflection of my life, and all of them I have a personal relationship with.” - Al McClain

Stop by the Mayor’s Gallery on the 5th floor and you’ll see a beautiful photography exhibit by Lou Jones. Lou’s photography gives a behind the scenes look at construction site fences, and highlights the labor force that is responsible for creating our new city. 

This show highlights the rapid growth of Boston in the last few decades through the new buildings that make up the city’s skylines, as well as the parts of the city that no longer exist. In addition to photographing Boston, Lou has traveled the world as a photographer, visiting 48 states and 60 countries, and has photographed 13 summer and winter Olympic Games.

Kelly Hall’s love for artmaking began as a 7 year old in Ghana, and continued when he immigrated to New England at the age of 9. His perception of the world as a collection of lines formed the basis for much of the art that he makes today.

“Each person, I have found, has lines that are singular and intrinsic. I make art to encourage you to take note of this elegance of form in others as well as yourself.” - Kelly Hall

His work can be found in the Mayor’s Neighborhood Gallery on the second floor of City Hall.

These four exhibits will be up through the month of February, and can be viewed on weekdays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. We hope you’ll stop by and see some of the fantastic work!