Hyde Square Task Force Brings Art, Culture to JP Open Studios

Photo Credit: Julia Becker Collins (three photos clockwise from top left) and Boston Makers (bottom left)

It was an art-filled weekend in Jamaica Plain, as the neighborhood hosted JP Open Studios on Saturday and Sunday.

And as part of the weekend-long event, Hyde Square Task Force added their efforts to Boston’s Latin Quarter in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

HSTF exhibited more than 500 handmade paper origami lanterns, each containing an LED light, along the steps of the Blessed Sacrament Church to “light up” the Latin Quarter.

The lanterns were made in conjunction with Boston Makers during workshops for community members throughout the day on the plaza of the church, according to Hyde Square Task Force spokesperson Julia Becker Collins.

Youth leaders from Hyde Square Task Force’s Musicians in Community program were also on hand this weekend, performing on the steps of the church in front of a large crowd.

Also showing at the event was the work of Dorchester graffiti artist Cedric Douglas, who created a portrait of Celia Cruz, the late “Queen of Salsa,” which could be seen in front of the UP Truck on the Blessed Sacrament Church plaza.

Douglas worked with HSTF members to create the portrait in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month; HSTF youth members researched Cruz this past summer as part of a musical icon project, Collins said. The completed portrait of Cruz is to be installed in the HSTF Youth Community Development Center.

To see more photos from the event, click here.

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