JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — The Jamaica Plain Branch Library, in partnership with the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, is thrilled to announce the next exhibit in its 2025 rotating art program: Bookish Art, a solo exhibition by Roslindale-based artist Deborah Ellington

In Bookish Art, Ellington transforms painted book pages and poetry into vivid hand-cut collages. Layering text, color, and shape, she builds unique compositions where typography becomes texture, shadow, and pattern. Each piece is carefully crafted—cut and assembled by hand—reflecting her deep appreciation for storytelling and visual form.

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — The Jamaica Plain Branch Library, in partnership with The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, is excited to announce the next exhibit of its 2025 annual rotating art program, Viscera an exhibition by Somerville-based artist Audrey Diallo.

Viscera refers to the body’s internal organs, symbolizing life’s unseen core. Diallo explores the mystical ties between animal forms and ancestral spiritualism through black-and-white silhouettes on vibrant backgrounds, often featuring women as spiritual guides and caretakers in everyday rituals. This exhibit highlights the soft, essential roles people play in society, blending spiritual and cultural symbolism.

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — The Jamaica Plain Branch Library, in partnership with The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, is excited to announce the first exhibit of its 2025 annual rotating art program, Healing Paths by local artist Kevin Gillespie.

Healing Paths is on view from January 9 – March 5, 2025, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, January 9th, 2025, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday and Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of The City-Wide Friends of the Boston Public Library, a volunteer, community-based organization that seeks to enhance public awareness, recognition, status and financial support of the library system through advocacy and education.

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — The Jamaica Plain Branch Library, in partnership with The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library and Uforge, is excited to present the final exhibit of its 2024 annual rotating art program. The exhibit showcases the work of two talented local artists from Jamaica Plain, Katrine Burkitt and Sarah Trainer, featuring their collection titled "Friendly Faces."

Step into the vibrant world of portraiture with “Friendly Faces,” an exciting exhibition featuring the work of Jamaica Plain artists Sarah Trainer and Katrine Burkitt. Both artists have dedicated themselves to the art of portrait painting, choosing to capture the essence of those they know and love, rather than working on commissioned pieces.

 Friendly Faces is on view from November 14, 2024-January 8, 2025, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday and Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — The Jamaica Plain Branch Library, in collaboration with The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library and Uforge, is thrilled to announce the latest edition of its annual rotating art program for 2024. This exhibit proudly features Charlemont, MA resident Cynthia Fisher and her latest collection, "Peregrinations on Being Human, A Mosaic Journey."

Her abstract mosaics are created with deep intention, starting with themes often inspired by nature, science, and mathematics. Fisher carefully selects materials like stained glass, Italian and Mexican Smalti, and pottery shards to craft intricate visual flows known as andamento. The limited color palette inherent to the medium challenges her creativity, resulting in unique, thought-provoking works.

Through this exhibition, Fisher invites viewers to reflect on the essence of humanity and our role in the world.

Cynthia Fisher: 'Peregrinations on Being Human, A Mosaic Journey' is on view from August 29-November 13, 2024, with a reception to be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday and Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — The Jamaica Plain Branch Library, in collaboration with The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library and Uforge, is thrilled to announce the latest edition of its annual rotating art program for 2024. This year's exhibit proudly features Jamaica Plain resident Navid Mood and his latest collection, "In-Visible."

"In-Visible" explores the interplay between nature and urban life, highlighting Boston landmarks such as the Arnold Arboretum, Franklin Park, the Blue Hills Reservation, and local ponds. Mood uses infrared black and white photography to reveal a spectrum invisible to the human eye, transforming familiar landscapes into dramatic, surreal settings.

Navid Mood: In-Visible is on view from June 27-August 28, 2024, with a reception to be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday and Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — The Jamaica Plain Branch Library, in collaboration with The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library and Uforge, is thrilled to unveil the latest edition of its annual rotating art program for 2024. The library is proud to feature Gloucester-resident, Jennifer Pinck, and her latest exhibit, "Visual Research,” highlighting Pinck's multifaceted experiences and her profound passion for painting.

"Visual Research" offers a glimpse into Jennifer Pinck's captivating journey as an artist. Nestled in her painting studio in the Annisquam Woods, she immerses herself in the interplay of light, color, and geometry. Through her vibrant canvases, Pinck invites viewers to explore the intricate connections between the natural and built environments. Her unique perspective, honed by decades of experience, transforms ordinary scenes into extraordinary works of art.

Jennifer Pinck: Visual Research is on view from May 2-June 26, 2024, with a reception to be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday and Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — The Jamaica Plain Branch Library, in collaboration with The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library and Uforge, is thrilled to unveil the latest edition of its annual rotating art program for 2024. The library is excited to showcase "Jane Keddy: Women’s Work".

Hailing from Gloucester, Jane Keddy is a versatile artist with expertise in printmaking and textile art, exploring various mediums such as ecoprinting, shibori, and textile collage. Commencing her artistic journey with batik, she expanded into silkscreen printing on paper and fabric.

Jane Keddy: Women’s Work is on view from February 29-May 1, 2024, with a reception to be held on Thursday, February 29, 2024, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday and Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — The Jamaica Plain Branch Library, in collaboration with The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library and Uforge, is delighted to announce the first installment of its annual rotating art program for 2024. In a celebration of abstract art, the library proudly presents "Mia Schon: Painting with Paper," featuring the work of Waltham-based artist Mia Schon.

Mia Schon: Paintng with Paper is on view from January 4 - February 28, 2024, with a reception to be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday and Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

Michelle Lander Feinberg, an abstract artist hailing from Massachusetts, is celebrated for her fearless exploration of color, texture, and form. Her captivating artworks have found homes in galleries, stores, restaurants, hospitals, libraries, and offices worldwide. Beyond her artistic endeavors, Michelle's journey is marked by acts of courage, such as kidney donation and fire walking, symbolizing her commitment to pushing boundaries and embracing life's challenges.

Michelle Feinberg: Kaleidoscope is on view from November 2, 2023 – January 3, 2024, with a reception to be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday and Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, a non-profit organization committed to planning and sponsoring free educational and cultural programs for all patrons of the JP Library, and by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

A self-taught artist working in photography, installation, collage, and digital media, Opetubo’s practice explores the lives of women and what she sees as “the small choices that come to define us.” The library will display her recent digital collage series titled “Wallpaper,” inspired by her own experiences with pregnancy and motherhood, as well as themes of domesticity and identity.

Bosede A. Opetubo: Wallpaper is on view from August 31 - November 1, 2023, with a reception to be held on August 31, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

This exhibition is supported in part by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, a non-profit dedicated to planning and sponsoring free educational and cultural programs for all who visit the JP Library and by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Originally from California, Brescia relocated to the Boston area to attend MassArt as a Master’s of Fine Art candidate in Photography. They describe their practice as “encompassing photographic narratives rooted in the dissection of identity, environment, ascribed meaning, and memory.” The series of works on view reflects the artist’s interest in black and white, the dichotomy of light and darkness existing side by side, through stark images taken while driving through California.

Natalie Brescia: Roadside Remnants is on view from June 29 - August 30, 2023, with a reception to be held on June 29, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

This exhibition is supported in part by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, a non-profit dedicated to planning and sponsoring free educational and cultural programs for all who visit the JP Library and by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

A multidisciplinary artist and educator, Brown credits her sewing skills to the local 4H club, an experience which led to her commitment to teaching sewing to the next generation of artists through lessons and workshops. Her new body of work on view titled "Motherhood is Perennial" explores the quilt as an object that provides warmth and comfort, similar to the ways a mother does. Saved and mended through generations, quilts transform as they age, and gain personality through their owners.

Christine Brown: Motherhood is Perennial is on view from May 4 - June 28, 2023, with a reception to be held on May 4, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

This exhibition is supported in part by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library, a non-profit dedicated to planning and sponsoring free educational and cultural programs for all who visit the JP Library and by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Currently pursuing her MFA in Photography at MassArt, Nosenko first studied design in Moscow and worked for an urban planning company before turning to event photography and portraiture. Her series on view in this exhibit explores immigration, displacement, nomadism, and familial separation, reflecting on her own experiences growing up within a Kazakh family living in Russia, and now living in the United States for the past few years with limited ability to travel outside the country.

Yana Nosenko: I’m Glad You’ve Left is on view from March 2 through May 3, 2023, with a reception to be held on March 2, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level. 

This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.

Often inspired by her world travels, Bucklaew’s work is characterized by bold shapes, limited use of color, and tactile qualities resulting from a mixture of printmaking techniques. She seeks to capture on paper her own ephemeral impressions of place and time, as well as the emotional impact they can have. To achieve this, her practice “often explores variations on a visual theme in order to capture just the right mood, or to reflect our own changing perspectives.”

Quenby Bucklaew: Winter Landscapes is on view from January 5 through March 1, 2023, with a reception to be held on January 5, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.

About the Exhibition:
March 2020 disrupted our daily lives and left us to navigate the feelings of loneliness and confinement. As artists this was exceptionally challenging taking a toll on our mental health while our resolve to create waned. As time went on, the constraints of life under lockdown eased up for some and we began to venture forward. Artists in this exhibit pay tribute to their personal determination to overcome a challenging situation through art.

Exhibiting Artists:
Jenny Bergman, Rachel Bingham, Alex Blaisdell, Shari Caplan, Sarah Deckro, Kathleen Dunn, Steven Edson, Fernando Fula, Weiying Huang, Jared Katsiane, Maggie Loh, Lydia Mullan, Anne Nydam, Iris Osterman, Robin Radin, Katarina Romanik, Rani Sarin, Stacy Shorr, Lyasya Sinkovski, Benjamin Stalnaker, Eric Taylor , Christine Tierney, and Towana Wright.

Forged in Isolation is on view from November 4, 2022 through January 4, 2023, with a public reception to be held on November 10, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

Portman specializes in detailed, studied renderings of city- and landscapes in ink and watercolor, exploring what he describes as “the dissonance between perceived unique individual solitude in a crowded environment, and the commonness and sameness of such feelings.” Often drawn from his own photographs, his images of familiar Boston landmarks like the Boston Public Library and the Gardner Museum tap into shared experiences of those who live in or visit the city, while offering quiet, reflective interpretations of these environments.

Eli Portman: A City in 7 Years is on view from September 2 through October 28, 2022, with a public reception to be held on September 8, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.

Her recent series captures the diversity of Jamaica Pond, both its natural wonders of flora and fauna like turtles, herons, and the movement of the water, as well as the people and pets who frequent the space, walking, exercising, reading, fishing, and relaxing. Serene and introspective, rich in detail and color, the photographs invite viewers to pause and reflect on the spectacular beauties of nature and their own connection to the natural world.

Dawn Colsia: Preserving Nature in the City: A Daily Walk Around Jamaica Pond is on view from July 11 - August 31, 2022, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, July 28, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.

Her compositions explore connections between people, nature, public spaces, and the written word, especially relevant now during our recent experiences of isolation. A teacher as well as a writer and artist, Donley says, “My students come from all over the world, and they remind me that home is fragile and varied and elusive. Just the word ‘home’ can bring a smile or a tear… I write and draw in an attempt to locate home, some center point that grounds me.”

Jan Donley: Reading & Riding is on view from May 6 through July 6, 2022 with a virtual artist meet-and-greet on Thursday, May 12, 2022 from 6:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.

This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.

With a steady hand and an incredible eye for detail, Jain is known for her delightful collage compositions featuring all manner of flora and fauna, with rabbits, frogs, birds, and snakes hidden among flowers and forest greenery. Using bright colors and a range of found imagery, her constructions are playful, textured, and often enlightening.

Marnie Jain: In Close Proximity is on view from March 6 through April 30, 2020, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, March 12, 5:30 - 7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.This exhibition is proudly sponsored by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.