Charlotte’s Unfinished Book, now self-published by the Dempsey family.
“I Wish I Could Live Here, Always”
Description: “I Wish I Could Live Here, Always” is the artistic creation of the late Charlotte A Dempsey. Charlotte was the director of The Children’s Art Centre in Boston’s South End between 1930 and 1971. Since her passing in 1979, her family discovered her unpublished book that illustrates her tenure of making art with children. It is an oversized art book, that is primarily pictorial, with short stories of her radically inclusive teaching. Written for adults, her stories come to life with corresponding artworks by her students. It holds over 80 original artworks created by children of the South End - including two by the great American painter, Allan Rohan Crite. Charlotte conveys her child-centered approach to teaching, long before we had notions of “Progressive” Education. Her enchanting tales of artmaking in the classroom teach parents, and caregivers about the impressionable nature of children that needs to be handled with great awe and responsibility. Her love for children and this beautiful program is shown in the title of her book:
“I Wish I Could Live Here Always.”
The following artworks are photographs of original works that are featured in Charlotte’s book. These artworks were created by children from The Children’s Art Centre, presumably between 1930 - 1971, during Charlotte’s time as Director. She save these images and pasted them into her book.
Do you recognize the artists on this list? Or are you an alum of the CAC? Reach out to us on the contact page.
Untitled (Horse's Head), Pen and Ink Artwork by Penny Sibley, Age 10
"What is Your Idea of Heaven?" Artwork by Kirkland Reeves, Age 11
Untitled, Wax crayon and thick tempera on black paper, Artwork by Mary Masse, Age 13
"Demolition with Birds," Watercolor and Ink, Artwork by Leila Maaloof, Age 7
"Sunset," Mixed Media Collage, Artwork by George Maalouf
"Sunset," Watercolor and Felt Tip Pen, Artwork by Rosaura Bonano, Age 10
"South End Neighborhood in Boston," Pen Drawing by O. Lopez, Age 10
"Elevated Railway," Tempera Paint on Manila Folder, Artwork by Gladys Bonara, Age 12
"Tenements," Watercolor and Ink, Artwork by P. Russo, Age 16
"South End Fire," Chalk with Watercolor, Artist Unrecorded, Age 7
"Demolition," Brush and Ink, Artwork by B.J. Cain, Age 16
"The Art Centre Courtyard," Lithograph Pencil on Paper, Artwork by George Talis, Age 16
Untitled, Felt Tip Pen on Newsprint, Artist Unrecorded, Age 7
"The Art Centre", Marker on Paper Drawing, Artwork by Irene Takeda, Age 15
"Welcome Home for Christmas," Watercolor, Artwork by Debby Chin, Age 12
"The Beauty of the Art Centre," Pen, Ink and Watercolor, Artwork by Marcia Marchulaitus, Age 10
"The Gardens of Our Courtyard Supply Endless Inspiration," Watercolor, Artwork by Mary Norton, Age 16
"The Outdoor Classroom," Watercolor, Artwork by Barbara Maysles, Age 15
Untitled, Watercolor and Ink, Artwork by Darlene Cook, Age 12 (Note on back reads: "This child plans to have her wedding in the courtyard of the Art Centre")
Untitled, Chalk Drawing, Artwork by Iris Walker, Age 9
Untitled, Felt Tip Pen, Artwork by Gloria Adorno, Age 13
Untitled, Melted Wax on Cardboard, Artwork by Gwen Reeves, Age 11
"People Move and Clothes Blow in the Wind," India Ink, Pen and Sponge, Artwork by C. Ritters, Age 11
Untitled, Tempera Paint on Manila Paper, Artwork by Darrell Waters, Age 6
"The Buck Twins," Pen and Ink, Artwork by Lewis Gifford, Age 11
"These Are My Friends," Felt Tip Pen, Artwork by Iris, Age 9
Untitled, Mixed Media, Artwork by Charlene Williams, Age 11
"Princess in Tower," Tempera Paint and Flow Master Pen, Artwork by Edith Armstrong, Age 8
"Little People Sing Under Tree," Mixed Media, Artist Unrecorded
"Bride Holding Baby in her Arm," Watercolor, Artwork by Frank Pacino, Age 11
Untitled, Watercolor, Artwork by Dianna Wolf, Age 10
Untitled, "Tissue Paper Collage," Artwork by Andrea Maalouf, Age 14
"Fairytale Dreams," Watercolor and Felt Tip Pen, Artist Unrecorded
"They Froze to Death," Mixed Media, Artwork by F. O'Brien, Age 18
"The Snake Slithered Away from the Tent," Mixed Media, Artwork by John Keith, Age 12
"Harborside," Watercolor, Artwork by Francis Murphy, Age 17
"Then he took that shovel thing and flopped them into the air," Tempera Paint on Paper, Artwork by Paul Murry, Age 11
Untitled, Mixed Media, Artwork by Gwen Records, Age 12
"But You Can Dream," Watercolor, Artwork by Margarita Rosario, Age 11
"House in Landscape," Watercolor, Artwork by Robert Benway, Age 16
"Flower Pot," Tempera on Paper, Artwork by John Sullivan, Age 16
Untitled, Mixed Media, Artwork by Margarita Rosario, Age 12
Untitled (The Angel), Colored Pencil, Artwork by Charles Thibeau, Age 6
Untitled (The Big Box), Colored Pencil, Artwork by Charles Thibeau, Age 6
"Girl with Four Ducks," Mixed Media, Artwork by Joanna Handlin, Age 18
"Assassination of President Kennedy," Mixed Media, Artwork by James Kelley, Age 12
"Flowers in a Jug," Mixed Media, Artwork by Modesto Serrano, Age 9
"Robber Steals the Baby While Mother Buys a Valentine," Crayon, Artwork by Debra Edwards, Age 7
"The Clouds are Unhappy When it Rains, But the Birds and Bugs Like It," Mixed Media, Artwork by A. Goldman
"Where in the World is the Snow Plow?" Tempera on Brown Paper, Artist Unrecorded, Age 13
"What the Sea Does to the Ships," Watercolor Painted with Brush and Sponge, Artwork by Mary Bain, Age 16
"I Love Snow All Over the World," Chalk Pastels on Green Paper, Artwork by Sandra Mays, Age 8
"Would the tensions of life possibly lesson a measure if we focused more on dancing, music and paintings?" Pencil Drawing, Artwork by Emily Korn, Age 5
"Dancing," Watercolor, Artwork by Gwendolyn Reeves, Age 12
"The Tempo Changed," Wax Crayon and Ink, Artwork by Robert Rego, Age 6
Untitled, Watercolor, Artwork by Mary Pierce, Age 19
"Drawing Made after a Lively Dance Session," Tempera, Artwork by George Maloof, Age 5
"Spring Bugs Moving Into the Sunshine," Mixed Media, Artwork by Francis Roshinski, age 7
"Birds in Tree," Wax Crayon, Artwork by Lucy Bonano, Age 10
"Bugland Resembles Times Square at Noon," Color Block Print, Artwork by Sheila Gray, Age 9
"After a Busy Day, Bees Go Home at Night," Watercolor and Ink, Artist Unrecorded, Age 10
"Kittens," Felt Tip Pen, Artist Unknown, Age 7
"Kittens," Felt Tip Pen, Artist Unknown, Age 7
"Gifts for the Infant," Wax Crayon, Artwork by Iris Walker, Age 8
"My black and white zimmero was the favorite of the zoo," Watercolor and Wax Crayon, Artwork by Seila Marsman, Age 10
"We," Pencil Drawing, Artwork by Maureen Van Gorden, Age 7
"I'll Scare Him," Wax Crayon, Artwork by Maurice McCarthy, Age 6
"Zebra Family at Play," Felt Tip Pen and Pastel, Artwork by Louise DeGenarro, Age 9
"A High Rise for the Birds," Tempera on Paper, Artwork by G. Bonano, Age 12
"Heads of Cattle," Watercolor, Artwork by P. Gonzalez, Age 17
"Turtles," Watercolor and Wax Crayon, Artwork by Maureen Van Gordon, Age 6
"Birds," Scratch Art, Artwork by Karen Gloss, Age 8
"I Hope Santa Claus Fits Down My Chimney," Wax Crayon with Watercolor, Artwork by Debby, Age 5
"Nativity," Tempera, Artwork by Jean Miranda, Age 13
"My Personal Sail Boat," Artwork by Arnette Waters, Age 8
Untitled, Tempera, Artist Unrecorded
"This is How Downtown Christmas Shoppers Look to Me," Melted Crayon Wax on Cardboard, Artwork by Leila Maaloof, Age 12
"Snowstorm," Tempera, Artwork by Edward Frieberg, Age 8
"Christmas Tree and Santa," Wax Crayon, Artwork by Pat Martin, Age 12
"Vacation," Tempera, Artwork by Roy Cato, Age 14
"Happy Days in a Happy World," Marker on Paper, Artwork by Karen Gloss, Age 8