Larry Pierce

Born in the Bronx, New York on February 9, 1949, Larry is the youngest of three children.

Growing up with a deep interest in the creative arts, Larry passed the entrance exam for the High School of Art and Design and began studying photography and illustration in 1961. Life took a different turn upon graduation as he joined the U.S. Navy as a Photographer’s Mate and began work as a videographer for the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service in Keflavik, Iceland.

Even before beginning his formal studies at the School of Visual Arts in New York, Larry had the opportunity to study under notable instructors including Louise Bourgeois, Jennifer Bartlett, Hannah Wilke and Jonathan Borofsky. He graduating in 1977 with a BFA.

After graduation, Larry began a 20 year career in advertising design and illustration. He met his future wife, Velma Johnson while working as an art director for the Mingo Jones Advertising Agency. They moved to her home town of Boston, MA in 1990.

Larry eventually joined the Boston Afro American Artists Association, participated in group shows in and around New England, and in 2005, created the AfricanWinter Gallery in Dorchester, MA. In 2006, he began teaching at the Dimock Center in Roxbury, MA  and directed the “Smart Kids” initiative – teaching art to Head Start and Early Head Start preschool children.

A community artist and activist, Larry even donated gifts to the Boston Public Library, including a 12 foot painting titled ‘Carrousel’ which he dedicated to the Grove Hall Community.

He joined the Dorchester Arts Collaborative in 2013, began teaching for the Art Mobile S.P.A.R.C. program in collaboration with the Massachusetts College of Art and Design that same year and was named the artist in Residence at the (Sustainability) Guild in Dorchester, MA where he  continues to conduct art programs and workshops for the BPL, Shattuck Hospital as well as for residents at the Pine Street Inn.