Current Exhibitions
Upcoming Events
At the Central Library
Interested in proposing an exhibition for the Central Library's Gallery J space? View our Exhibition guidelines.
Central Library in Copley Square (Special Collections Department)
The year 2024 marks two significant anniversaries relating to Serge Koussevitzky (1874–1951): the 150th anniversary of his birth and the centennial of his appointment as the ninth conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Koussevitzky’s arrival in Boston in 1924 heralded the start of a twenty-five-year tenure that would forever transform both the orchestra he conducted and the state of contemporary classical music in the United States. This display showcases Koussevitzky’s life in Boston and his lasting impact on the world of music.
Central Library in Copley Square, Leventhal Map & Education Center
September 13, 2024 - March 15, 2025
Today, the maps that show up most often in our everyday lives—from walking directions on your phone to hourly weather maps—are made by computers. Even the simplest of these rely on vast databases of geographic information and complex systems of analysis and visualization. In our newest exhibition, Processing Place: How Computers and Cartographers Redrew our World, we look at how computers and cartography have fused together over the past century—and how they redrew our world in the process.
From September 13, 2024 through February 2025, we invite you visit our gallery to learn how the computer became a cartographer.
Processing Place is curated by Leventhal Center staff members Ian Spangler, Assistant Curator of Digital & Participatory Geography, and Emily Bowe, Assistant Director.
Free to all visitors. Closed Mondays. For open hours, visit the Map Center's website.
We Read Banned Books!
Central Library in Copley Square (Gallery J)
January 10, 2025 - March 26, 2025
Book banning in America is nothing new. In the past, challenges to the distribution of books were usually leveled against single volumes being sent by mail or placed in public and school libraries for perusal by any who wished, subject only to restrictions based on the age of readers. In recent years, movements have arisen purportedly oriented to protecting children from access to books that confront traditional accounts of American history, make them “uncomfortable,” or expose them to issues relating to race, gender identity and sexuality that would otherwise open doors among some to a healthy consideration of feelings about their own identities in a pluralistic society. Such efforts bring to bear pressure, particularly on librarians, teachers, and school boards, to remove suspect books from library and classroom shelves.
The American Library Association, which tracks book challenges and bans each year, reports a 65% increase in the number of challenged and banned books between 2023 and 2024 alone, with 4,240 unique titles targeted. This is a rising threat to the freedom to read. Artist Karen Moss's great concern with this alarming situation led her to focus her art on the project of depicting people of all ages reading banned books that relate to their particular interests or life experience. The oldest participant is a Holocaust survivor, aged 98, reading Maus, and the youngest a 13-month old baby posing with Babies First Banned Book. So far other participants in this project are reading books that include subjects ranging from American history, to gender issues, to antisemitism and racism. It is Moss's hope that this series may contribute to a wider understanding of the importance of access to books by all who wish to read them.
Teen Central Permanent Rotating Exhibit
Central Library in Copley Square (Teen Central)
This exhibition is in partnership with the Department of Youth Services (DYS) and the DYS Art Showcase program.
Since 2008, the BPL and DYS Metro Region staff have partnered to facilitate monthly library visits to DYS Metro.
This presentation of artwork represents a selection of the work from the annual DYS Art Showcase, which highlights and promotes the talents of young people from across Massachusetts. Each year, BPL Youth Services will select and purchase art from the Art Showcase for display in a permanent, rotating collection at Teen Central. The BPL is proud to support these artists and all at DYS.
For more information, please contact BPL Teen Outreach Librarian Maty Cropley at mcropley@bpl.org.
At the Branch Libraries
Sweet Spot: An Interactive Light Sculpture by Michael Berthaud
Roxbury Branch Library
December 7, 2024 - January 31, 2025
Sweet Spot is an interactive light sculpture featuring an acrylic mannequin with an LED-lit interior and a responsive display. You can place the basketball or microphone box onto the podium to see how the display changes inside the mannequin. This piece draws from the artist's experiences growing up in Boston and observing how society often frames success for black youth.
Symbols such as a basketball or a microphone represent stereotypical career pathways widely advertised in media. This artwork seeks to explore how these narrow symbols of achievement often overshadow the many facets of curiosity that exist within today's black youth.
This work was resourced and supported by the Boston Public Art Triennial's Accelerator Program.
Katrine Burkitt & Sarah Trainer: Friendly Faces
Jamaica Plain Branch Library
November 14, 2024 - January 8, 2025
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.
Burkitt brings a fresh, immediate approach to her work, painting her sitters from life. She paints alla prima, a technique where wet paint is applied to wet paint, usually in one sitting, before the first layer dries. The term is Italian for "at first attempt." In contrast, Sarah Trainer often begins her process with drawings, later using photography as a reference to craft her portraits over many sessions.
This exhibit is a celebration of both their similarities and differences as artists. Living at opposite ends of Jamaica Plain, these two women share a passion for portraiture and an affinity for portraying friends and family. Yet, their distinctive styles and techniques create a rich dialogue within the artwork. “Friendly Faces” invites viewers to explore the connections that unite us, while also appreciating the unique perspectives that emerge from individual artistic journeys. Join us for this heartfelt celebration of community and creativity!
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 exhibition space is located on the lower level.
More information about each artist and their work is available on the website for Sarah Trainer, opens a new window and the website for Katrine Burkitt, opens a new window. Additional information is also available on the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library website, opens a new window.
Kevin Gillespie: Healing Paths
Jamaica Plain Branch Library
January 9, 2025 - March 5, 2025
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.
A longtime Jamaica Plain resident for 36 years, Gillespie draws inspiration from the Emerald Necklace and Jamaica Pond, creating serene watercolor and gouache paintings that capture the beauty of the natural world. His en plein air works reflect the calming, restorative power of nature, with a style influenced by celebrated landscape artists such as Homer, Wyeth, Hopper, and Turner.
“The Emerald Necklace, particularly Jamaica Pond, has been my muse,” says Gillespie. “As a city kid, I’ve found healing and renewal in traveling the paths under the trees, taking time to be mindful, breathe, and appreciate the beauty around me.”
Healing Paths offers viewers a peaceful escape through Gillespie’s lens, showcasing the beloved landscapes of Jamaica Plain.
The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
More information about Kevin and his work is available on his website, opens a new window. Additional information is also available on the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library website, opens a new window.
This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of The City-Wide Friends of the Boston Public Library, opens a new window, a volunteer, community-based organization that seeks to enhance public awareness, recognition, status and financial support of the library system through advocacy and education.
