Boston in Focus: Capturing a Changing Urban Canvas

Capturing a Changing Urban Canvas

Exhibition Duration: February 11 – April 12, 2026

Event Timing: Wednesday, February 11, 2026

• Artist Talk: Wednesday, February 11, 5pm–6pm

• Opening Reception: Wednesday, February 11, 6pm–8pm

Location: The AFH Gallery and Mezzanine

Curated by: Exhibitions Team

Boston in Focus presents a powerful collection of work from AFH teen, alumni artists, and local Boston photographers, each with their own perspective and truth on the changes our city has undergone within the past two decades. The selected photographs capture Boston’s beauty and resilience, while also acknowledging the complicated realities that come with urban transformation. 

Over the past three decades Boston has undergone profound changes including rising rents, a higher cost of living, and the displacement of long-time residents that have reshaped the social and physical landscape. In this exhibition we create space for dialogue—inviting artists and the community to reflect on how these shifts affect community, culture, and identity. Through photographs, Boston in Focus documents not only what is seen, but what is felt, tracing the tension between progress and loss, between preservation and change. These photographs are not just windows into the city; they are mirrors that ask us to examine our place within it and ask ourselves, how do we grow forward from here? 

For the past 35 years, teen artists have been creating work through the Artists for Humanity program. As we celebrate this anniversary year, we look back on how our own history is deeply intertwined with that of Boston—growing alongside the city, responding to its transformations, and continuing to harness the power of mentorship and paid professional experiences to inspire teens to build their future. In amplifying the perspectives of emerging and established artists, this exhibition encourages honest conversation about Boston’s (and AFH?) future, grounded in creativity, community, and equity.

Featuring Local Boston Artists

Al Spruill (AFH Alum)
Angela Rowlings
Gary Duehr
John Savoia
Kyle Pontes
Paula Slowe
Stefanie Belnavis

This exhibition also includes artwork from our current and alumni teen artists.

You can support AFH’s mission by purchasing artwork or hiring AFH for your next client project. 

Acknowledgements: 

A special thank you to all the individuals and businesses that support AFH, including our Board of Directors and Advisors.