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Cedric Douglas’s Majestic MassArt Journey
Cedric Douglas (’11 BFA), the first person in his family to attend college, celebrates Black Excellence with a new mural on MAAM’s facade.
Cedric Douglas '11 BFA Communication Design
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When Cedric Douglas arrived at MassArt, he became the first person in his family to attend a four-year college. So, there were times when the ins and outs of higher education seemed like a bit of a mystery.
Written by Tony Pham
“I didn’t really have anyone to talk to about how stuff worked,” Cedric says. “My parents didn’t know how to guide me because they didn’t have that college experience.”
But Cedric wasn’t alone. He took advantage of the MassArt Compass Program, which supports first-generation college students with financial advising, mentorship, tutoring, and other resources. Through his Compass mentors, he found invaluable help navigating college and also discovered a creative community that shaped his growth as an artist.
“All the mentors I had through Compass helped me see art the way I see it today,” he says. “There are just so many amazing people there. And I’m friends with some of them to this day.” Those Compass Program connections came full circle in 2023 when Cedric was commissioned to create a mural on the facade of the MassArt Art Museum.
Compass is a mentoring program that provides first-generation undergraduates with advising, tutoring, and additional support as they transition to MassArt.
Cedric “Vise1” Douglas, Majestic, 2023. Spray paint on vinyl. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Melissa Ostrow.
“It’s one of my favorite projects,” Cedric says of the mural, which he named Majestic. “Like a lot of my work, it’s about empowering Black folks and celebrating Black excellence. It’s a visual representation of the work that I’m trying to put out into the world. I got to apply the skills I learned (at MassArt) to create this really powerful piece, and it features two Compass Program students.”
Cedric’s advice to the next generation of MassArt students? Dive in and get connected. “While you’re at MassArt, you should embrace the people around you,” he says.
“Speak up. Ask questions. Because when you have those conversations and make those connections, that’s when you’ll find new friends, colleagues, and collaborators. That’s how you’ll really discover your community.”Cedric Douglas BFA ’11
Cedric Douglas is also one of the artists chosen to contribute to Boston’s Un-Monument/De-Monument/Re-Monument initiative, a groundbreaking project funded by a $3 million Mellon Foundation grant – the largest investment in public art the city as ever received. This project will reimagine the city’s monuments through temporary public art installations and community engagement, recognizing people and events contributing to Boston’s evolution that may not have been recognized. Douglas’s work, inspired by the need to reframe historical narratives, is part of a broader effort to bring diverse voices and perspectives into the conversation about how Boston’s history is represented in public spaces.
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