A gallery of painted portraits of first responders created by Dorchester teens will go on display this weekend in Peabody Square. The artwork will be shown on Sept. 1 and 2 on the plaza outside Ashmont Grill, according to Paul F. Sullivan of Living Art Inc. which organized the free program for Dorchester teens 14-19. The teen artists painted full-length portraits of police, firefighters, EMTs and military veterans on donated doors.

“This is the eighteenth year we are offering this free program in Dorchester,” said Sullivan. Each year the Portraits are exhibited in a public setting in order for the students to receive acclaim for their work which noticeably increases their self-esteem.”

The Opening Doors exhibit is made possible by a collaboration with: Boston Parks & Recreation, Boston Public Library, Fields Corner Branch, Dorchester Sports League and especially first responder volunteers.