Charlotte’s Book:
“I Wish I Could Live Here, Always”
The Life and Legacy of Charlotte A. Dempsey
1897 - 1979
Charlotte Dempsey was the director of The Children’s Art Centre in Boston’s South End between 1930 and 1971. Born in Hopkinton MA, she was an artist and educator who inspired thousands of children toward a life of creativity. This site was created by Charlotte’s family to share about her incredible legacy. In addition, this site shares the contents of her unfinished book that was self-published in June 2026.
1915
“In 1915, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston was a sacred place. Its programs were formal. Visiting children were expected to abide by a ritual of noiseless tread, voiceless wonder and to touch nothing. FitzRoy Carrington, Curator of Prints, was an especially warm-hearted man. His love and understanding for children prompted him to plan an art exhibition in the Museum of Fine Arts just for them. Although the project was considered fanciful, it was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed. This pioneer effort for young people was such a success that Mr. Carrington conceived a new idea. He wanted to create a fine arts museum just for children. The search for a site started. An economically depressed area in Boston's South End was under consideration.”
- Charlotte A Dempsey in her book “I Wish I Could Live Here, Always”
Image from Northeastern University Archives, Collection M116
1918
“By that time, World War I was raging in Europe and the proposal to spend dollars for a children's fine arts museum was considered to be preposterous. But the exciting dream persisted. Imaginative planning and toil brought the vision to reality; the money came chiefly from New York and Washington. By 1916, a large empty lot was found in the South End. There, the small building of rare charm and distinction was erected and named the Children's Art Centre, Inc.
The structure was built in 1917 to 1918. It was designed by Alexander Emerson, architect of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Naturally, the Art Centre's details echoed that handsome building, one mile away.”
- Charlotte A Dempsey in her book “I Wish I Could Live Here, Always”
Image from Northeastern University Archives, Collection M116
1920
“The program was open to all and any children ages five to eighteen. They came from the city and suburbs alike to see professional exhibits loaned by Boston's studios and galleries. They also attended after school and Saturday morning classes. They received instruction, understanding and guidance. A flexible membership fee (dependent on ability to pay) was the only entrance requirement. Instruction and materials were supplied free. It was truly heartwarming to know that in the middle of Boston's most rundown areas, there remained a place which many visitors called an oasis”
- Charlotte A Dempsey in her book “I Wish I Could Live Here, Always”
Images from Charlotte’s personal photos in possession of the Dempsey Family
1930
In 1930, Charlotte received a call from her previous professor at Mass Art. At the time, Mrs. Elizabeth Ward Perkins is the President of the Centre and asks Charlotte to apply for the position of director. Charlotte soon visits the South End, applies and is accepted for the position.
Charlotte directs The Children’s Art Centre for 41 years from 1930 - 1971. She grows this position into her life’s passion and fosters creativity in thousands of children.
Image from Northeastern University Archives, Collection M116
1930s
Charlotte had a unique approach to making art with children. She was against samples and explicitly instruction. Rather, she would pose questions and encourage children to explore using the materials without adult intervention. She wanted students to create rather than replicate.
Prompts by Charlotte – Year 1962:
Do you live in the city or in the suburbs
What does your neighborhood look like?
Today you are a news reporter…what scoops can you find in tonight’s headlines?
Close your eyes and picture the pleasantest thing that ever happened to you.
You live in a castle…what if you were a king or queen for the day?
Make a drawing of something interesting that you saw while walking from home to the store
“In drawing his picture, a child must think about experiences in his own life. This thinking-over process is significantly educative because a child comes to grips with experience while he is engaged in picture making. A child offers in his work a record of what he feels, what he thinks and what he knows. In short, he clarifies his thoughts and feelings and gives them coherent form.
Through the use of paint, wire, clay, crayon, glass, ink, paper and innumerable other materials, plus sizeable imaginations and varying degrees of skill, vigorous and decisive creations came into being.”
- Charlotte A Dempsey, 1952 Annual Report
Image from Charlotte’s personal photos in possession of the Dempsey Family
1937
Dempsey invited to share exhibition at the Louvre by Monsieur Rene Hughes (Director of Painting Department). Exhibition called: International Exhibition of Arts and Techniques
Source from Northeastern University Archives, Collection M116, Annual Report, 1937
1940
Charlotte took her role and responsibility of caring for children very seriously. Her belief in the power of art education was evident and she frequently expressed this in writing.
“The CAC continues to be an oasis in a beauty barren area, since it offers to young people a place where they may observe and create beauty and thus open their eyes to see the stars and not the mud. Dingy brick buildings set in crowded streets, debris-laden alleys and human derelicts are ever before their gaze. But a child is soft clay and his eyes can be trained to see the pattern of sunlight in colorful autumn leaves, the jewels of light and color left on bare tree limbs by the rain and the beauty of snowflakes lazily drifting down to blanket the ugly places and transform even an old ash-barrel into a thing of fantasy. Hence in these he finds freedom from his depressed spirit.”
- Charlotte A Dempsey, 1940 Annual Report
1959
Charlotte coordinated many experiences for the children of the art centre. Students attended plays, concerts and exhibitions in Boston. They visited parks and made art all throughout the South End. Charlotte opened up the children’s worlds as they followed their own creativity.
Charlotte fulfilled the role of curator for her students. The Art Centre hosted exhibitions in their studio-classroom. The students work also traveled through the city and around the world during Charlotte’s 41 years as Director.
Altogether, artworks from Boston’s South End traveled to over 30 countries. As near as the brick exterior wall on Rutland Street to an arts festival in South Korea - Charlotte shared the children’s work far and wide.
1971
Charlotte Retires in 1971. Following her retirement, Charlotte begins to create a book about her life’s work at the children’s art centre. Kenneth L Brown, Executive Director of The United South End Settlements publishes a heartfelt letter regarding Charlotte’s work and service.
“The Children’s Art Centre is looked upon nationally as the top ranking Fine Arts Museum of its kind. As its Curator, she has established confience among artists and art gallery owners, so that they have willingly made loans of their exhibits.”
- Ken Brown, United South End Settlements Executive Director, 1971
1979
In Charlotte’s retirement, she created a book of writings illustrated by children’s artworks. In her oversized book, she glued 80 original artworks that she had saved over the years.
Once completed, Charlotte pitched the book to several publishers but was not successful at acquiring a partnership. Instead, her book was shared on loan at the Boston Athenaeum for the public to enjoy.
In 1979, at Charlotte’s passing, the Athenaeum contacted Charlotte’s nephew, Bill Dempsey, to pass on Charlotte’s book back to the family. At that time, the Dempsey family was not aware of the book but they gladly received it and stored it as a family heirloom.
2017
In 2017, a teacher at The Children’ Art Centre named Julia Glatfelter created a children’s book about the life of Charlotte Dempsey. Through her project, she became connected with Bill and his wife, Anne Dempsey. With excitement, the Dempseys told Glatfelter about the unpublished book that Charlotte created. Together, they are working to publish the book and share about Charlotte’s incredible legacy.
2023 - 2025
In 2023, the team hosted a reunion of Charlotte’s students at The Children’s Art Centre. They continue to work to fulfill Charlotte’s wishes of publishing her great book called “I Wish I Could Live Here, Always.”
The team pitched Charlotte’s magnificent story to over 20 publishers. At the close of 2025, the team decided to work toward self-publication.
2026
In the Summer of 2026, Charlotte’s book was completed and self-published. The book is available for purchase through Lulu Press, online bookstore.
Contact Us
A team of passionate people are working to publish Charlotte Dempsey’s book called “I Wish I Could Live Here, Always.”
Bill and Anne Dempsey, relatives of the Late Charlotte A Dempsey
Liz Dempsey, daughter of Bill and Anne Dempsey, writer and educator
Julia Glatfelter, artist and educator who previously taught at The Children’s Art Centre
We are looking for financial support to fund our efforts and we are actively applying for a book deal.
Reach out to Julia to get involved: glatfelterjulia@gmail.com