Community celebration features The Makanda Project, DJ Kitzner, and sunflower installations on Friday, September 26

Boston, MA — The Roxbury Sunflower Project will host a free, family-friendly Garden Party on Friday, September 26, from 4 to 7pm — with sparc! the ArtMobile 2.0 taking center stage. Launched by Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) and operated by the Center for Art and Community Partnerships, sparc! is a mobile art studio that expands access to creativity across Boston through free, hands-on workshops, pop-ups, and artist-led activations. 

This event kickoffs off 15 years of sparc!, celebrating its mission “igniting art and design in the neighborhood”  through local collaborations with schools, libraries, parks, and community groups.

The new ArtMobile 2.0 will continue this work with an updated vehicle, refreshed programming, and a bold exterior— and be painted live for the public at the Garden Party by renowned community artist Jeremy “Sobek” Harrison (who, with artist Apex, painted the previous ArtMobile in 2020).

“sparc! brings art and design to life with our neighborhood partners—creating spaces to make, imagine, and dream together. Through these collaborations, we’re expanding access to creativity across our communities—helping to realize MassArt’s public mission,” said Elena Belle White, Director of the Center for Art and Community Partnerships at MassArt.

Alongside the live painting, guests will enjoy The Makanda Project—a celebrated 13-piece jazz ensemble exploring the compositions of Boston native Makanda Ken McIntyre—and a high-energy set by DJ Kitz, spinning classic R&B and old-school hip hop. Food will be available for purchase from Irie Jamaican (including vegetarian options) and Mig’s Dogs.

Founded by artist Ekua Holmes in 2018, the Roxbury Sunflower Project is a multi-site public artwork that seeds thousands of sunflowers across Boston, transforming vacant and unexpected lots into living tributes to beauty, resilience, and belonging. The Garden Party will feature one of the Project’s signature sunflower installations—inviting neighbors to gather, reflect, and make art together in public space.

Event Details

What: Roxbury Sunflower Project Garden Party featuring the live painting of MassArt’s sparc! the ArtMobile 2.0 by Jeremy  “Sobek” Harrison

When: Friday, September 26, 4-7pm

Where: 639 Warren Street (at Crawford Street), Roxbury

Cost: Free and open to the public

Rain or Shine

RSVP and learn more about sparc! the Artmobile.