Please note that the galleries are closed Nov 26–28, 2024, as well as Dec 23, 2024–Jan 6, 2025.

Chronicles from Castle Square is an exhibition of artwork by teens from the Change Creators program at Castle Square Tenants Organization (CSTO). These artists focus in on stories that are of significance to them.

The photography is arranged into three categories: “Beauty in the Small Things,” “Hidden Stories/Layers,” and “Past, Present, Future.” “Beauty in the Small Things” encompasses images the artists found particularly captivating or extraordinary in everyday settings. In “Hidden Stories/Layers,” we see photos taken by teenagers around Boston. What do they mean? That’s up for you to decide. In “Past, Present, Future,” the photographers return to places of their pasts and capture them using their eyes now, reflecting on both what has happened since then and how they will later see their present selves. The final section of the exhibition, called “The Ballad of the Backgrounds,” is a collection of nine short films by the same teens.

CSTO’s mission is to promote the economic, educational, and social empowerment of low- and moderate-income individuals by providing access to safe, quality affordable housing and supportive direct service programs. Through its Media Production Internships for Teens, young people learn photography and video production, storytelling, and event planning in order to bring communities together through visual media.

This exhibition was organized by the ICA’s Teen Exhibitions Program, a group of teens who work together to plan, organize, and install artwork in the ICA Teen Galleries. In this space, we imagine new ways of presenting work, and grow in our own creative practice by collaborating with one another and ICA staff. Teen arts education is central to the ICA, and the Teen Exhibitions Programs is just one of many programs offered. Special thanks to all the collaborators who made this happen, including the staff and teens at CSTO.

Text written by Aaron C., Luna L., and Ramona B.

Thank you to our collaborators

Aaron C., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Alejandro V., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Angela T., Principal Designer
Angelica M., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Anthony T., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Aric C., Teen Programs Manager
Autumn M., CSTO Teen Artist
Ayanajanay R., CSTO Teen Artist
Ayden A., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Betsy G., Director of Teen Programs
Carol L., Decorative Painter
Charlie C., Preparator
Ciiphus C., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Coco R., Teen Exhibitions Program Teaching Artist
Dani A., Production Manager
Edwin A., Facilities Assistant
Eleanor W., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Emily W., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Essence T., CSTO Teen Artist
Hieu V., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Jasmani T., CSTO Teen Artist
Jennifer M., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Joseph B., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Julie S., Production Manager
Juliney S. & Opportunity Painting, Painters
Kayla V., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Kemani A., CSTO Teen Artist
Kris W., Director of Creative Content and Digital Engagement
Layla P., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Leandra B., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Leycaira M., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Liv B., Exhibitions Coordinator
Luna L., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Marianne M., CSTO Teen Artist
Nate C., Teen Creative Leadership Alumni Assistant
Nathan A., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Patrick E., CSTO Teen Artist
Ramona B., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Ravyn H., CSTO Teen Artist
Ruth E., Barbara Lee Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs
Samantha C., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Tayde P., CSTO Teen Artist
Tessa H., Curatorial Assistant
Tim O., Chief Preparator
Tyra S., CSTO Teen Artist
Ty’Asiah S., Teen Exhibitions Program Member
Xixin C., CSTO Teen Artist
Vivianne S., Teen Exhibitions Program Member