Creating Places with People: 2017 Year in Review

171014 Mondawmin Crossings Reisterstown Rd

171014 Mondawmin Crossings Reisterstown Rd

2017 New Public Sites infographicAs we close out 2017 I’m thankful for the numerous neighbors, leaders, artists, and organizations I have had the honor of working with to Make Place Happen in Baltimore and beyond. From championing pedestrian accessibility around Druid Hill Park, to exploring the robust and emerging civic spaces and public art of Arlington County, to colorfully reconfiguring concrete paving for playful action, place is truly what we made of it. Public space is not just constructed out of tactile materials like pavement, landscaping, and benches, but also the intangible – knowledge, organizing, and programming. Through New Public Sites walking tours we poetically re-experienced everyday public spaces while learning from community leaders and civil servants how to affect change at the block level. Artscape showed that streets and bridges don’t have to be just for cars, but can also be spaces for ecstatic pedestrian interactions. Workshops like the Baltimore Museum of Art’s Visioning Home created spaces for inclusively mapping out creative futures for the city. I am inspired by my collaborators who believe that we can expand such temporary zones of autonomy into lasting places of accessibility, well-being, joy, and freedom.

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Map Baltimore’s Future then Thread History in Place

Necessity of Tomorrows BMA Mark Bradford + FutureSite Mapping

BMA Visioning Home Mapping with participant signs

Necessity of Tomorrows BMA Mark Bradford + FutureSite Mapping

The Necessity of Tomorrow(s): Mark Bradford—Making a Path + FutureSite Mapping

Saturday, November 11, 2017, 12pm-3:30pm
Free, Reservations Required
Location: Union Baptist Church
1219 Druid Hill Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21217

How do you make a path to power where none exists? How do you assess a community’s needs and create access for a community to self-determine?

Back in September I had the honor of collaborating with the Baltimore Museum of Art on creating and leading an interactive mapping activity for the “Visioning Home” workshop. Participants challenged the entrenched narratives about Baltimore neighborhoods and envisioned possible futures through group discussions, exploring the museum’s collection, and posting their ideas as signs on a colorful floor map. Now we are about to do it again – this time as part of the BMA’s new series, The Necessity of Tomorrow(s), featuring luminary artist Mark Bradford. Bradford will be in conversation with BMA Director Christopher Bedford exploring how the artist grapples with “making a path,” and other key questions in his artistic practice and community-based work. Afterwards, I will be leading FutureSite – a collaborative activity to map the future of Baltimore City.

Free. Click here to learn more and reserve your spot: http://bmatomorrows.org

Threading History in Place Bromo District Walking Tour

Threading History in Place: Bromo District Walking Tour

Sunday, November 12, 2017, 11am-1pm
Tickets: $15 each (tour only)
Rain date is Nov. 18.
Meets at 315 W Fayette St, Baltimore, MD

You are invited to the final walking tour of my 2017 season: Threading History in Place.

Explore invisible public spaces and storied buildings that reflect the history of Baltimore’s fashion industry, department stores and garment district and learn about past and present efforts that shape the neighborhoods contained within the Bromo Arts and Entertainment District. Tour begins and ends at Everyman Theatre, where attendees may stay for the 2pm performance at an exclusive discounted rate. Produced in partnership with Everyman Theatre, Bromo Arts and Entertainment District, and Market Center Merchants’ Association.

Click here to purchase tickets: http://everymantheatre.org/bromo-district-walking-tour