Party Favors, Brookline's headquarters for everything delicious and festive, hosts 5 unique artists in their store annex at 1354A Beacon Street (located in the walkway between Bowl & Board and Party Favors.) The exhibit centers around Cristina Powell, an accomplished artist who has touched many people¹s lives with her art, her bright smile and positive outlook on life. Cristina was adopted from Lima, Peru as an infant, and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy shortly thereafter. Now 18, Cristina has created an impressive collection of work, which she sells at Party Favors and at local hospital gift shops.
Paula Peters of the Cape Cod Times writes:
"When you are in the presence of Cristina Powell, it is impossible to be anything but happy. Case in point: the knot of frustration in the pit of my stomach that melted away when I met her in the lobby of Children's Hospital in Boston last week. I was initially attracted to a display of paintings, or I should say more accurately, a burst of color that woke up my senses as if I had just stepped into a garden in spring bloom. Never mind that it was a cold, dank November afternoon, I was suddenly warm and overcome with a delightful feeling of peace stirred by this beautiful artwork.
The colors were brilliant - reds as if plucked from a rose, greens like new grass in the spring, and pink as soft as a tulip. And then I met the artist, 18-year-old Cristina from Kalamazoo, Mich., temporarily transplanted to Brookline for the next few months. She was beaming with pride as people in the busy lobby were almost hypnotically drawn to her display of work.
A second before being caught up in the wonder of the colorful paintings, they were in a hurry to visit a patient, or late for an appointment, or rushing to get lunch. Then suddenly they were in Cristina's world where she flashed her deep brown eyes and playfully tossed her thick black hair full of pink and green ribbons as she greeted admirers."
The public is invited to meet the artist Thursday evening, December 6, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Enjoy food and wine as you view Cristina's work along with that of 4 of her friends, all artists with disabilities who are gifted with unique artistic abilities. The collection includes origami, T-shirt art, jewelry and hand-made scarves. This engaging exhibit will be featured at 1354A Beacon Street throughout the month of December.
Learn more about Cristina by visting www.cristinapowell.com
