Corita Kent (1918-1986) was an activist, artist and educator. After joining the Immaculate Heart of Mary religious order at age 18 she worked as an art teacher and an artist at Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles, specializing in silkscreen printing. After leaving the religious order in 1968, Kent moved to Boston’s Back Bay, living here at 185 Marlborough Street. She walked every day to the Public Garden which she found inspirational to her artwork and writing. Kent was active in social justice causes, including the anti-Vietnam War movement, civil rights and women’s rights. In 1985, she designed a US Postal Service Love stamp and in 1971, she painted the Rainbow on the Boston natural gas tank, in Boston Harbor, the world’s largest copyrighted artwork. Kent is now recognized for her important role in the Pop Art movement.
