Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
“Patterns of Greatness” is a collaborative project encouraging young people to reflect on the relationships that have had a positive impact on their lives. Beauty and meaning can be found in the patterns of life, and unprecedented times often spark ingenuity. In response to the pandemic, the MFA’s Community Arts Initiative launched its first socially distanced Artist Project. Over a six-month period, artist and educator Chanel Thervil met virtually with young Boston-area artists, facilitating discussions and art-making activities that focused on creating visual patterns to affirm their life experiences and capacity for greatness.
“Patterns of Greatness” marks the 16th year of the Community Arts Initiative, through which the MFA partners with community organizations to introduce young people ages 6 to 12 to the Museum’s collection and the art-making process. For this exhibition, through the Community Arts Initiative, the Museum is proud to partner with the Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Boys & Girls Club, the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, the Charlestown Boys & Girls Club, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club, the Jordan Boys & Girls Club, the Orchard Gardens Boys & Girls Club, United South End Settlements, the Vine Street Community Center, the West End House Boys & Girls Club of Allston-Brighton, and the Yawkey Boys & Girls Club of Roxbury.
The Community Arts Initiative is generously supported by the Linde Family Foundation.
“Patterns of Greatness” is a collaborative project encouraging young people to reflect on the relationships that have had a positive impact on their lives. Beauty and meaning can be found in the patterns of life, and unprecedented times often spark ingenuity. In response to the pandemic, the MFA’s Community Arts Initiative launched its first socially distanced Artist Project. Over a six-month period, artist and educator Chanel Thervil met virtually with young Boston-area artists, facilitating discussions and art-making activities that focused on creating visual patterns to affirm their life experiences and capacity for greatness.
“Patterns of Greatness” marks the 16th year of the Community Arts Initiative, through which the MFA partners with community organizations to introduce young people ages 6 to 12 to the Museum’s collection and the art-making process. For this exhibition, through the Community Arts Initiative, the Museum is proud to partner with the Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Boys & Girls Club, the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, the Charlestown Boys & Girls Club, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club, the Jordan Boys & Girls Club, the Orchard Gardens Boys & Girls Club, United South End Settlements, the Vine Street Community Center, the West End House Boys & Girls Club of Allston-Brighton, and the Yawkey Boys & Girls Club of Roxbury.
The Community Arts Initiative is generously supported by the Linde Family Foundation.
