There are moments when the art world feels like a quiet, distant thing—locked behind gallery walls. But in certain spaces, art belongs to everyone. Art breaks free, and the walls speak louder than ever.
From April 18-21, Harvard University’s Gallery at 92 Seattle St. will host an exhibition that promises more than just art on its walls. Organized by Harvard students and open to all emerging creatives in the Greater Boston CSA, the Boston-wide Art Gallery is putting out a bold call for submissions: artists, photographers, filmmakers, musicians, and volunteers are all invited to take part.
No prior experience is required, and no medium is off-limits. Whether it’s paint on canvas, a short film, or a haunting black-and-white photograph, all aspiring artists are welcome.
After recognizing the lack of professional opportunities for young artists, curator Katherrin Billordo ’26 was inspired to bring a more inclusive creative scene to Harvard. Billordo’s journey started in Chicago at 16, organizing youth art shows in hopes of broadening the production space. “There were [few opportunities] for emerging artists to share their work without feeling intimidated, excluded, or paying fees,” Billordo wrote in a statement to the Independent.
“With this free show, I carried that same mission to Boston—applying for grants, putting up 75+ flyers around campus, messaging local artist collectives on Instagram, cold-emailing art professors from 10+ Boston universities, and coordinating drop-off logistics with dozens of artists I had never met,” she added.
“We’re aiming to create a fun, free, and welcoming environment that brings artists together, challenges the exclusivity of traditional galleries, and makes space for self-expression, community, and creativity.”
At its core, this exhibition isn’t just a creative outlet—it’s a movement. From protest posters to street murals to emotionally charged performances, art has become a tool for resistance, healing, and collective action. This upcoming show leans into that tradition, inviting participants to explore not just what they create, but why they create. It opens the door for art that speaks to lived experience—pieces that challenge systems, celebrate culture, call out injustice, or simply carve space for joy in resistance.
This gallery calls attention to the recent rise in popularity and appreciation for younger artists in the creative community, especially among older individuals. “People of my generation want to feel in tune with whatever artwork they’re buying and are more focused on experiencing art – in that way, you naturally meet a lot of emerging artists,” GenZ art collector Jeffrey Liu expressed in an interview with Art Basel earlier this year.
The opening reception will take place on Friday, April 18, and will feature live music, local food, activities, and drinks—everything you’d hope for on a Friday night where creativity takes center stage. Local musicians, photographers, and performers are encouraged to apply to help bring this opening event to life. The full exhibit will remain open through Sunday, April 21.
Ultimately, this exhibition is a testament to Billordo’s desire to make the artistic profession more inclusive and welcoming to emerging voices. “Every step was about making space for new voices and building a platform where creativity, accessibility, diversity, and connection could thrive,” Billordo said.
To Billardo, this exhibit will go beyond the art on its walls. “This gallery proves that art isn’t just about showcasing work; it’s about building empathy, community, and new relationships,” she added.
Projects like Billardo’s have the ability to fulfill the art world’s desire for expression and community. “I feel lucky to have found a gallery who shares my artistic vision and serves as a true space for growth,” commented Wei Libo, a Paris-based sculptor, on the power of galleries focused on emerging creators in the same Art Basel discussion.
The Boston Art Gallery’s goals are clear: to spark empathy, deepen self-expression, and build real connections. With artists from across backgrounds and experiences, the show aims to be a dynamic learning space—one where new perspectives thrive and community is everything.
This isn’t just another student show—it’s a call to reimagine what a gallery can be. Submissions are still open—no entry fees, just the audacity to create and a community that’s eagerly waiting to listen.
Rania Jones ’27 (rjones@college.harvard.edu) and Sara Kumar ’27 (sjkumar@college.harvard.edu) are planning on heading to 92 Seattle St. on April 18.