The spring/summer 2022 edition of the Boston Art Review is out, and it includes a fantastic feature by Anita Morson-Matra, “Real Talk," that focuses on the state of live-work spaces for artists in Boston. Anita is an urban planner, creative, and organizational strategist. She is currently working with local cities and towns as they explore economic development tools and policies that support recovery and growth.…
Valerie Coimbra is an educator and the chair of Boston City Singers, an organization that provides underserved young people with opportunities through a strong foundation of choral singing. Valerie has been with Boston City Singers since 2004 when she joined the group as an 8th grader. “I sang with Boston City Singers from 2004 until 2009 when I graduated high school,” Valerie recalls. After high…
Bithyah Israel is a composer, cellist, and the founder of City Strings, a youth cello ensemble that provides free musical opportunities for youth in the Boston area. She is also the Social Justice Fellow for the Arts and Humanities with the UU Urban Ministry. We got to speak with Bithyah about her compositional process, the inspiration behind City Strings, and her time as an Arts &…