<- Wagner Gallery

From The Page To The Stage

  • July 10, 2025 - December 5, 2025
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A vibrant mural on a black wall shows a smiling child holding a glowing lightbulb, surrounded by colorful, dynamic shapes and abstract patterns, with a wooden floor and overhead lighting in the gallery.
"From The Page To The Stage" mural installation in the Wagner Gallery. Photo: OLP Creative, Lee Hopkins
  • Featured artists
    Dr. Rob “ProBlak” Gibbs
    Michael Talbot
    Ayana Mack
    SOEMS
  • Curated by

    Street Theory Collective

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Pulled from the page and brought to life, this site-specific mural installation by Dr. Rob “ProBlak” Gibbs with Michael Talbot, Ayana Mack, and Lee “SOEMS” Beard is the culminating project of a four-part masterclass series designed to nurture the next generation of creative changemakers.

The masterclass program, led by artist-educator Gibbs invites young artists to explore identity, purpose, and storytelling through the medium of mural-making, creating powerful visual narratives shaped by collaboration, reflection, and the belief that art can transform both space and self. Developed in partnership with Converse and The New Commonwealth Fund.

Street Theory Collective is an artist-led nonprofit committed to cultivating creativity as a catalyst for personal growth, community connection, and cultural transformation. Opening a new project space in Central Square, Cambridge, the organization provides emerging and underrepresented artists with access to mentorship, professional development, and public art opportunities that build lasting skills and amplify authentic expression. Through cross-sector collaboration and a deep commitment to equity, STC serves as a creative incubator—empowering artists to ideate, create, curate, and share work that reflects the spirit and resilience of their communities.

Artists create “From The Page To The Stage.” Video: OLP Creative, Lee Hopkins

It all starts with an idea.
That idea sparks a conversation.
The conversation leads to action.
Action evolves into a composition.
That composition, we hope, activates and empowers a community.
And that community goes on to contribute to the world.
– Street Theory Collective

Artists

A man in a bright yellow hoodie stands smiling in a hallway with colorful, space-themed artwork depicting a child’s face on the wall behind him.
Photo: Flavio Debarros

Dr. Rob “ProBlak” Gibbs is a visual artist, organizer, and community builder from Roxbury, MA. He transforms Boston’s cultural landscape, focusing on beautifying Black and Brown communities. As co-founder of Artists for Humanity, he devoted over 30 years to teaching creative skills to youth and partnering with institutions to offer real-time opportunities for emerging artists. Gibbs has been recognized as one of Boston’s most influential people and has received numerous awards, including the Boston Celtics’ Hero Among Us Award and the MLK Drum Major Award. He was the first local and Black artist to paint the coveted Dewey Square Mural on the Rose Kennedy Greenway and has been an artist-in-residence with Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and MassArt. Gibbs’ continuing practice is expansive and prolific. He envisions graffiti and hip-hop as ways to educate young people and create images of beauty and resilience through murals and contemporary fine art.

Learn more about ProBlak.

A man with glasses and a patterned shirt stands smiling in front of a colorful mural of a joyful person holding a glowing light bulb, set against a vibrant, cosmic background.
Photo: Flavio Debarros

Michael Talbot is a Jamaican-born, Boston-based freelance artist and visual storyteller who has worked on a wide range of projects, murals, exhibitions, and showcases since 2012. His work, often narrative-driven, is most characterized by the keen use of motion, negative space, as well as a limited palette reminiscent of graphic novels and other forms of sequential art. Michael believes that all art is inter-connected in some facet; informing, complimenting and/or enhancing each other. And although his passion and interest for storytelling is forefront in his practice and craft, he tends to draw from his knowledge in multiple areas of study to help strengthen this process. Whenever possible, he uses his rich cultural background from his early life in Jamaica to infuse, improve, and “season” whatever project he tackles, often mixing both digital and traditional media.

Learn more about Michael.

A smiling woman with locs wears a blue denim coat, green top, and colorful skirt, standing confidently in front of a vibrant, abstract artwork featuring yellow and orange tones.
Photo: Flavio Debarros

Ayana Mack is a multidisciplinary artist and creative storyteller dedicated to using art as a catalyst for change. She recently completed Closer To My Dreams, a 45-foot mural celebrating transformation and joy. Her work has been exhibited at Artists for Humanity and the Multicultural Arts Center, earning honors such as the Black Excellence on the Hill award and the Ashe Ashe grant, which supported her art and healing workshops at Boston Public Libraries. Ayana serves on the boards of the Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston and Boston Arts Academy, advocating for increased art access in communities of color. She has also contributed to Boston’s neighborhood activation initiatives as Marketing Director for Open Streets Boston and a Creative Entrepreneur Fellow with the Arts and Business Council.

Learn more about Ayana.

A man wearing an orange hoodie and a crossbody bag stands smiling in front of a black wall with white graffiti-style text that reads, From the Page to the Stage.
Photo: Flavio Debarros

SOEMS (born Lee Beard in 1986) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Boston with over 17 years of professional experience. A Boston Arts Academy graduate, he began in the early 2000s graffiti scene and has since developed a career spanning fine art, design, and public space. His work includes large-scale murals, custom lettering, graphic illustration, brand development, and stage design. Known for his precision and distinctive style, Lee has collaborated with businesses, institutions, and communities to create visually striking and meaningful projects. A proud member of the ALA, and GN Crew, he’s helped shape Boston’s urban landscape through public art, reinforcing his belief that art brings people and ideas together. Whether partnering with corporate clients or local groups, he brings creativity, professionalism, and a deep commitment to each project. His work blends craftsmanship and purpose, always aiming to inspire and connect.

See SOEMS’ work.

Five people stand smiling together indoors in front of a black wall with white graffiti text. They wear colorful, casual clothes and nametags. Framed artwork is displayed on the wall behind them.
(L-R) Michael Talbot, Dr. Rob “ProBlak” Gibbs, Liza Quinonez, Ayana Mack, and SOEMS. Photo: Flavio DeBarros
A vibrant mural of a joyful child laughing and holding a glowing light bulb, with silhouettes of two people inside it. The colorful background features stars and abstract shapes, conveying creativity and inspiration.
Photo: OLP Creative, Lee Hopkins
A colorful mural shows a hand holding a sparkler, a cityscape with sun rays, and a theater marquee reading CENTRAL INTRINSIC. Bright colors and abstract shapes fill the background, creating a vibrant urban scene.
Photo: OLP Creative, Lee Hopkins
A vibrant mural features a large compass, abstract patterns, and a colorful banner that reads “Common Currency” and “Bringing universal Value To The World.” Yellow bursts and dynamic shapes add energy to the design.
Photo: OLP Creative, Lee Hopkins
A modern office hallway features a black accent wall with white graffiti-style text reading “From the Page to the Stage,” followed by an inspirational quote and five framed handwritten notes or autographs. Light wood floors and open rooms flank the wall.
Photo: OLP Creative, Lee Hopkins