Forever Home #7
Forever Home Newsletter #7
An At-Most Monthly Publication
A Night with JP KidsArts: For the Grownups
KidsArts is hosting “A Night with JP KidsArts: For the Grown-Ups,” a ticketed fundraiser giving parents, grandparents, caretakers, and community supporters the chance to experience KidsArts' programming themselves on Thursday, October 22, 2026. This will be a private event with our community partner Ula Cafe, 284 Amory St in Jamaica Plain, from 5:00 to 7:30 PM. While grown-ups finally get their turn in Teaching Artist, Ev’s, mini-kitchen workshop, we will be sharing about our Forever Home Capital Campaign and celebrating all our donors thus far. Expect light bites, drinks, and extra special raffle/auction items straight from Jamaica Plain. Childcare will be offered at KidsArts during the event for an additional $20. Tickets will be priced at $50, $75, $100, $250, and $500.
Speaking of Fundraising…
It’s always a good day to donate to KidsArts! KA is preparing for bids from construction companies on the renovations of our Forever Home. With material costs high and our desire to get into the building by September of 2027, we are pursuing every active avenue to raise funds for our Forever Home. Please consider making a donation today.
Additionally, we are interested in leveraging matching donation benefits. If your workplace will match your donation, let us know!
An Interview with KA Alum, Jacob Leidolf
Where has your artistic journey taken you?
I have made and shown art for most of my life now. I exhibited my first piece publicly in 2005 as part of JP Open Studios. I went on to study art at Boston University College of Fine Arts and start my own graphic and web design business. I am part of a local clothing company Scope Apparel which produces clothing and community events and had a flagship store on Centre St. I have been an arts educator for over 15 years working with students of all ages in community programs, summer programs, afterschool programs, weekend programs, public school classrooms, community public art projects and more. I currently have a shared studio in JP at the Brewery and continue to produce art of all kinds including printmaking, paintings, comics, print and digital design. I curate shows, and create public art and murals with young artists. I also teach in a STEAM program called DEI Lab using toys to teach. I am blessed to be part of a deep and prolific creative community and to spend my life teaching and making art.
Why do you think KA is a special place?
I know for me KidsArts was an extension of my community. I went there with lifelong friends and met people who helped me become the man I am today. JP is a special place because of institutions like KidsArts and the access they offer to families and young artists.
Why do you think it’s important for us to have our own home?
I remember there being constant transition in the shared space at the UU church. I think being able to have dedicated areas that can be set up for specific programming will allow the programming to be deeper and more expansive. The outdoor space of the new location is also a huge asset for outdoor programming like play, sports, nature focused learning, growing, cultivating. Having a space ensures long term stability and a base to grow what is already an incredible community resource.
What are your hopes for the new space?
More community collaboration. I think KidsArts can be and is a hub for young creatives and should strive to offer programming events and artwork to the community. I would love to bring KidsArts kids out into the community to produce murals. I would love to come into the new outdoor space and learn about plants and growing plants together. I would love it to host community meetings around public safety and mutual aid. I would love it to host distribution for free clothes and food for families in need. I would love it to host parties and festivities for our young community, to engage with other groups and organizations and creative spaces. Owning the space means KidsArts can more fully support its values and be creative in using the physical resource of the space to empower the community. More art! Hopefully there are spaces that can be set up for different practices and allow for the mess of creation while still teaching things like taking care of our space, our materials, our ideas and most of all each other.
When did you attend KidsArts?
I was at KidsArts for much if not all of my elementary years which would have been 1995-2000.
What workshops do you remember?
Lots of different arts and crafts with Rosalba. Tap dance. Macrame and crafts with Angela and her daughter Cynthia.
How did KA inspire your current artistry?
I was encouraged as a young kid to mke art and I always loved it. I consider Rosalba a dear mentor and community member to this day and she has supported my work throughout the years. As an arts educator now, I recognize the power of giving kids a space to be creative and encouraging them while they are young and fearless and exploring their power in this world.
