placemaking

Graham projects Seeks Landscape Architect or Public Artist + Project Manager

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Graham Projects is hiring a Landscape Architect or Public Artist + Project Manager banner
Graham Projects is hiring a Landscape Architect or Public Artist + Project Manager banner

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who has applied for this position! We appreciate everyone who has applied and are in the process of reviewing candidates. We are no longer accepting applications at this time.

Graham Projects seeks a creative and dedicated individual to join our team as a Landscape Architect or Public Artist + Project Manager. If you’re passionate about working with communities to transform public spaces through placemaking, public art, and traffic calming, this role is for you.

Graham Projects is a Baltimore-based design-build agency making cities more inclusive and livable through public art, placemaking, and civic engagement. Building on backgrounds in public art, urban design, ecology, and neighborhood advocacy, Public Artist Graham Coreil-Allen (he/him) and team produce participatory projects in the service of pedestrians and places. We collaborate with communities via participatory public design processes. Our works include pedestrian-safety street murals, quick-build traffic calming installations, interactive sculptures, transforming vacant lots into public spaces; and designing and fabricating artistic outdoor wayfinding, furnishings, and structures.

Click here to download position description.

Job Description

This full-time salaried position is based in Baltimore City, Maryland and the employee must live in the Baltimore metro area. Reporting to our Founding Principal, the Landscape Architect or Public Artist + Project Manager will have strategic and logistical control over their assigned projects, actively shaping the entire process of community engagement, design, and construction. Community-based projects will primarily take place in Baltimore City, Maryland and surrounding states, requiring reliable transportation and the flexibility to work nights and weekends.

This role demands a passion for walkable urbanism, public art, cultural competency, collaborative management, construction coordination, and hands-on and installation. The ideal candidate is comfortable leading community engagement in a range of diverse settings. They will be extremely organized as our team tracks the progress of projects. As a skilled designer they will efficiently create 3D CAD models, scale plans, compelling renderings, and joyful graphic designs across a range of print and digital media. Some hands-on installation work is expected as part of our culture of design-build praxis. In bringing our projects to life, the candidate will sometimes move heavy objects, operate power tools, climb ladders, direct volunteers, get paint on their clothes, and install projects in the heat and cold.

Responsibilities

Lead the Creative Placemaking Process

  • Draft project proposals and estimates
  • Develop public art, placemaking, and traffic calming design concepts
  • Engage in client / community relations
  • Procure materials and track budgets
  • Maintain shared project management files
  • Generate construction and installation plans
  • Lead installations and community build days
  • Help document the design-build process

Organizational Skills and Collaboration

  • Practice meticulous organizational protocols while staying nimble in project execution. Track project progress using shared Google Docs / Sheets / Drive, Asana project management platform, email, and Slack.
  • Collaborate with clients, stakeholders, other artists and designers, project managers, and community members on project design development.

Communication and Engagement

  • Engage in public speaking and networking opportunities.
  • Attend client kick-off meetings, lead interactive engagement events, actively participating in fast-paced project-related communication.
  • Actively build and maintain relationships with clients, community leaders, and sector partners.

Design and Documentation

  • Design placemaking, public art, and traffic calming projects using SketchUp, Layout, and Adobe CC: Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, and InDesign.
  • Clearly articulate ideas, conceptualize design directions, and review progress with the Founding Principal and/or Director of Operations at key stages for feedback and approvals.
  • Craft and contribute to the design, writing, and review of project-related documents, photos, video, social media, and reporting.

Implementation

  • Draft and submit applications to initiative municipal site plans reviews.
  • Draft, submit, and tenaciously follow up on permit applications.
  • Order supplies and coordinate deliveries.
  • Collaborate with subcontractors on support services and fabrication needs.
  • Work closely with the Director of Operations on scheduling installations.
  • Manage logistics, coordinate with the install team, lead community volunteers, and participate in installations.
  • Assist with photographic and video documentation of installations.

Qualifications

  • Preferred experience: 5-7 years of demonstrated skill in creative placemaking, urban design, community engagement, project management, business development, creating concepts through construction drawings, hands-on public art / placemaking installation, and construction review.
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in landscape architecture, visual art, urban planning, transportation; OR equivalent experience and skills related to the described responsibilities.
  • Passionate about cities, walkable urbanism, public art, and placemaking.
  • Creative designer, maker, and problem solver. 
  • Flexibility with work schedule and tasks as company services evolve. 
  • Ability to work independently with at times limited direction, making decisions based on company principals and project goals. 
  • Ability to meet tight timelines, prioritize among competing needs and opportunities, and simultaneously manage multiple projects. 
  • Demonstrated ability to secure projects, whether through earned relationships, grants, or RFQs/RFPs.
  • Interest in staying informed on local transportation, planning, and social justice issues. Comfortable with tactfully discussing challenging topics with community members and government officials.
  • Experience with planning and running public events such as in-person and virtual workshops, charrettes, community meetings, tabling at festivals, etc.
  • Knowledge of Baltimore City culture and neighborhoods is a plus.
  • Technical Proficiency with:
    • Project and collaboration software including or similar to Google Docs / Sheets / Drive, Asana project management platform, Slack, and Zoom.
    • Design software including AutoCAD, SketchUp, Layout, Canva, and Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, and InDesign.
    • Experience with woodworking power tools and/or digital fabrication such as 3d printing, laser cutting, and CNC routing is a plus.

Workplace & Schedule

This position will be primarily in-person, working from our design studio and fabrication workshop during typical business hours. Community engagement and installations require some evening and weekend work, especially April – October.

Compensation and Benefits

  • $60,000 – $75,000 / yr commensurate with experience
  • 7 days of flexible PTO plus 7 paid typical holidays off 
  • Healthcare monthly stipend or optional salary equivalent
  • Retirement savings account

To Apply

Graham Projects is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences who share our vision of making cities more inclusive and livable to apply.

Send your resume, cover letter that details your interest in the position and experience, and links to documentation of landscape/urban design, public art and/or placemaking projects you have worked on to info@grahamprojects.com. Include “LA/PA + PM” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

Graham projects Seeks Painter / Fabricator + Events Assistant

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Graham Projects is hiring a Painter / Fabricator + Events Assistant banner
Graham Projects is hiring a Painter / Fabricator + Events Assistant banner

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who has applied for this position! We appreciate everyone who has applied and are in the process of reviewing candidates. We are no longer accepting applications at this time.

Graham Projects is seeking a passionate and skilled Painter / Fabricator + Events Assistant to help create street murals, build outdoor sculptures and furnishings, and lead community engagement events. The ideal candidate has experience in various commercial painting techniques, knows basic carpentry, and is comfortable leading public events in a range of diverse settings.

Graham Projects is a Baltimore-based design-build agency making cities more inclusive and livable through public art, placemaking, and civic engagement. Building on backgrounds in public art, urban design, ecology, and neighborhood advocacy, Public Artist Graham Coreil-Allen (he/him) and team produce participatory projects in the service of pedestrians and places. We collaborate with communities via participatory public design processes. Our works include pedestrian-safety street murals, quick-build traffic calming installations, interactive sculptures, transforming vacant lots into public spaces; and designing and fabricating artistic outdoor wayfinding, furnishings, and structures.

Click here to download position description.

Job Description

The Painter / Fabricator + Events Assistant role requires reading scale plans, laying out large compositions, observing attention to detail, maintaining high quality, and working independently or as part of a team. The candidate will be responsible for preparing pavement and outdoor surfaces, applying heavy duty coating products and paint, cutting / assembling / finishing basic wood structures, and ensuring that all work meets the highest standards. They will work efficiently, maintain a tidy site, and practice construction safety standards. In bringing our projects to life, the candidate will move heavy objects, operate power tools, climb ladders, direct volunteers, get paint on their clothes, and projects in the heat and cold. In addition, the candidate will engage community members in public settings, and help set up and breakdown outdoor events. The candidate must be computer literate and able to contribute to tracking the progress of projects via our collaborative project management systems. 

This full-time position is based in Baltimore City, Maryland and the employee must live in the Baltimore metro area. Reporting to our Founding Principal, the Painter / Fabricator + Events Assistant will be a key member of our installation and events team. Community-based projects will primarily take place in Baltimore City, Maryland and surrounding states, requiring a candidate with reliable transportation and the flexibility to work nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

General Duties

  • Meet early in the morning on a regular basis at our workshop or job site.
  • Maintain a clean and organized work environment throughout the project duration.
  • Wear proper PPE and observe construction safety protocols.
  • Use computers to document progress through project management software, email, and shared cloud documents.

Painting and Fabrication

  • Prepare surfaces for coating / painting by brooming, cleaning, and filling holes or cracks as necessary.
  • Apply epoxy coatings, paint, varnish, thermoplastic and other products using brushes, rollers, spray equipment, and torches.
  • Follow schematics and plans to accurately complete projects.
  • Mix and match paint colors to achieve the desired shade, ensuring consistency across areas.
  • Conduct concrete finishing tasks when required for specific projects.
  • Execute basic woodworking techniques; including cutting and assembling lumber, sanding and finishing, moving, and installing outdoor furnishings.
  • Collaborate with other tradespeople on construction sites to ensure project timelines are met.

Event Support

  • Assist with setup, breakdown, and facilitation of community engagement events.
  • Interact politely and professionally with community members at public events.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

  • Proven experience in commercial painting or mural creation.
  • Proficiency with power tools and basic carpentry.
  • Ability to work independently with at times limited direction. 
  • A valid driver’s license for travel between job sites.
  • Basic computer skills for email and project management software.
  • Strong attention to detail with a focus on delivering high-quality results.
  • Meet tight timelines and simultaneously manage multiple tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Pavement markings and coatings experience.
  • OSHA 10 or 30 certification.
  • Experience running public events such as workshops or community meetings.

Workplace & Schedule

This position will be primarily in-person, working from our main workshop, off site storage, and on site during typical construction hours. Community engagement and installations require some evening and weekend work, especially April – October.

Compensation and Benefits

  • $25 – $30 and hour
  • 7 days of flexible PTO plus 7 paid typical holidays off 
  • Healthcare monthly stipend or optional salary equivalent
  • Retirement savings account

To Apply

Graham Projects is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences who share our vision of making cities more inclusive and livable to apply.

Send your resume, cover letter that details your interest in the position and experience, and links to documentation of past work to info@grahamprojects.com. Include “Painter / Fabricator + Events Assistant” in the subject line. No phone calls.

Liam Arbeiter now part of the Graham Projects team!

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Say hello to Liam Arbeiter, the newest addition to the Graham Projects team as our Urban Designer and Placemaker! Originally from Maple Grove, Minnesota, Liam relocated to the DMV area to combine his industrial design expertise with his passion for enhancing urban infrastructure and creating spaces that prioritize the human experience.

We asked Liam a few questions about their personal mission, proudest achievements, their work at Graham Projects, and what placemaking/public art projects they’d love to work on. 

What’s your guiding principle for everything you work on?

Keep an open mind and stay curious. As a designer with strong values in improving the way people interact with each other and the world, I find that curiosity and openness lead to positive outcomes in my work more often than not. 

What’s one of your proudest achievements?

I’m really proud of the chair I designed while studying abroad in Copenhagen, where I focused on furniture design. For my semester project, I created a modern interpretation of an Adirondack chair, featuring simpler geometry, hidden joinery, and unique wood cuts in the seat and backrest that flex to your body. The best part is that I could pack it up and bring it home, and now it sits in my bedroom! As my first ‘serious’ piece of furniture, this project allowed me to experiment with new techniques, making it incredibly rewarding to sit in and reflect on the countless hours I put into crafting it.

What are you excited to do with Graham Projects?

I am extremely excited to make a difference in communities and help people feel safer and more connected to each other. Getting the chance to meet the people that I am designing for and hearing their stories is an incredible opportunity, and I feel that it will make my work feel that much more meaningful.

What are some of your dream projects? Is there a concept that you’d love to execute in collaboration with Graham Projects?

I would love to design bicycle infrastructure. After living in Copenhagen, I was inspired by their innovative biking solutions and approach to public spaces. I have a bike rack concept aimed at increasing ridership and reducing bike thefts in urban areas, and I believe Graham Projects would be the perfect place to bring it to life!

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

A good mix of adventuring and finding relaxing things to do. I love doing activities like exploring a new neighborhood, going to trivia, catching a baseball game, or finding new food spots around the city. My ways of relaxing include going for a walk/run/hike/bike ride, listening to music or finding a nice park to enjoy.

Outside of placemaking, I like to find a balance of adventure and relaxation — whether it’s exploring new cities, catching a baseball game, or searching for the best food spots. To unwind, I love a board game night, a casual bike ride, or a good bonfire under the stars.

Is there a website or platform that we can find any potential creative ventures of your own or artwork?

Instagram: 

@arbeiter_design

Graham projects is Hiring an Urban Designer & Placemaker

Published at In Category News Tags: , , , ,
Graham Projects Hiring Urban Designer & Placemaker
Graham Projects Hiring Urban Designer & Placemaker

Graham Projects is a Baltimore-based design-build agency making cities more inclusive and livable through public art, placemaking, and civic engagement. Building on backgrounds in public art, urban design, ecology, and neighborhood advocacy, Public Artist Graham Coreil-Allen (he/him) and team produce participatory projects in the service of pedestrians and places. We collaborate with communities via participatory public design processes to improve and activate public spaces with creative placemaking projects. Our works include pavement murals, traffic calming art installations, neighborhood plans, transforming vacant lots into public spaces, and using digital and manual techniques to design and fabricate artistic outdoor wayfinding, furnishings and structures.

The Graham Projects team is looking for an Urban Designer & Placemaker with a passion for working with communities to enhance public spaces through sustainable urbanism, public art, urban planning, and community advocacy. 

Click here to download position description.

Job Description

This full-time salaried position is based in Baltimore City, Maryland and the employee must live in the Baltimore metro area. Reporting to our Founding Principal, the Urban Designer & Placemaker will have strategic and logistical control over their assigned projects, actively shaping the entire project process of community engagement, design, and construction. As a member of our company leadership, this role plays a pivotal part in Graham Projects’ growth, requiring the candidate to be hands-on and influential. Projects will primarily take place in Baltimore City, Maryland and surrounding states, requiring a candidate with reliable transportation and the flexibility to work nights and weekends.

This role demands a passion for walkable urbanism and public art, cultural competency, collaborative management, digital prowess, and physical resilience. The ideal candidate will be comfortable leading community engagement in a range of diverse settings. They will be extremely organized as we collaboratively track the progress of projects. As a skilled designer they will efficiently create 3D CAD models, scale plans, compelling renderings, and fun graphic designs across a range of print and digital media. In bringing our projects to life, they will move heavy objects, operate power tools, climb ladders, direct volunteers, get paint on their clothes, and install public art and placemaking in the heat and cold. 

Responsibilities

Lead the Creative Placemaking Process

  • Draft project proposals and estimates
  • Develop public art and placemaking design concepts
  • Engage in client / community relations
  • Procure materials and track budgets
  • Maintain shared project management files
  • Generate construction and installation plans
  • Lead installations and community build days
  • Help document the design-build process

Organizational Skills and Collaboration

  • Practice meticulous organizational protocols while staying nimble in project execution. Track project progress using shared Google Docs / Sheets / Drive, Asana project management platform, email, and Slack.
  • Collaborate with clients, stakeholders, other artists and designers, project managers, and community members on project design development.

Communication and Engagement

  • Engage in public speaking and networking opportunities.
  • Attend client kick-off meetings, lead interactive engagement events, actively participating in fast-paced project-related communication.
  • Actively build and maintain relationships with clients, community leaders, and sector partners.

Design and Documentation

  • Design public art and placemaking projects using SketchUp, Layout, Canva, and Adobe Creative Cloud: Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, and InDesign.
  • Clearly articulate ideas, conceptualize design directions, and review progress with the Founding Principal and/or Director of Operations at key stages for feedback and approvals.
  • Craft and contribute to the design, writing, and review of project-related documents, photos, video, social media, and reporting.

Implementation

  • Draft and submit applications to initiative municipal site plans reviews.
  • Draft, submit, and tenaciously follow up on permit applications.
  • Order supplies and coordinate deliveries.
  • Collaborate with subcontractors on support services and fabrication needs.
  • Work closely with the Director of Operations on scheduling installations.
  • Manage logistics, coordinate with the install team, lead community volunteers, and participate in installations.
  • Assist with photographic and video documentation of installations.

Qualifications

  • College Degree in landscape architecture, urban planning, architecture, design, visual art, transportation; OR equivalent experience and skills related to the described responsibilities.
  • Passionate about cities, walkable urbanism, public art, and placemaking.
  • Creative designer, maker, and problem solver. 
  • Flexibility with work schedule and tasks as company services evolve. 
  • Ability to work independently with at times limited direction, making decisions based on company principals and project goals. 
  • Ability to meet tight timelines, prioritize among competing needs and opportunities, and simultaneously manage multiple projects. 
  • Demonstrated ability to secure projects, whether through earned relationships, grants, or RFQs/RFPs.
  • Interest in staying informed on local transportation, planning, and social justice issues. Comfortable with tactfully discussing challenging topics with community members and government officials.
  • Experience with planning and running public events such as in-person and virtual workshops, charrettes, community meetings, tabling at festivals, etc.
  • Knowledge of Baltimore City geography and neighborhoods is a plus. 
  • Technical Proficiency with:
  • Project and collaboration software including or similar to Google Docs / Sheets / Drive, Asana project management platform, Slack, and Zoom.
  • Design software including SketchUp, Layout, Canva, and Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, and InDesign.
  • Intermediate woodworking power tools use and safety protocol.
  • Experience with digital fabrication such as 3d printing, laser cutting, and CNC routing is a plus.

Workplace & Schedule

This position is primarily work-from-home for design tasks, which usually take place during typical business hours. Community engagement and installations require some evening and weekend work, especially during our busy season from April through October. A company design studio and fabrication workshop is currently under development. Access to the shared workspace is estimated to begin 2025.

Compensation and Benefits

  • $50,000 – $60,000 / yr commensurate with experience
  • 7 days of flexible PTO plus 7 paid typical holidays off 
  • Flexible work environment: work-from-home and in the field
  • Healthcare monthly stipend or optional salary equivalent
  • Retirement savings account

To Apply

Graham Projects is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds and experience to apply. Send your resume, cover letter that details your interest in the position and your experience, and links to documentation of urban design, public art and/or placemaking projects you have worked on to info@grahamprojects.com. Include “Urban Designer & Placemaker” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

Graham Projects on BmoreArt

Published at In Category News Tags: , , , ,
BmoreArt Collaboration Graham Projects hand holding magazine
BmoreArt Collaboration Graham Projects hand holding magazine

We are honored and humbled to have our public art for pedestrian safety featured on the cover of BmoreArt’s latest print journal. Edited by longtime Baltimore arts ally, artist, and writer Cara Ober, the “Collaboration Issue” features stories about “artists whose practice invites others in, organizations who prioritize collective action, and institutional entities willing to elevate local partners.” Thank you to critical raconteur and stalwart flâneur Michael Farley for writing the piece on our work: “GO PLAY IN TRAFFIC: Graham Projects Reimagines More Joyous Streets”.

Bravo to the entire BmoreArt team for producing such a gorgeous publication and hosting an amazing release party at the marvelous George Peabody Library. Props to the BmoreArt Publication Designer Tony Venne for the always outstanding layout. 

Special thanks to the Reservoir Hill Improvement Council for bringing us in to create our community-inspired Seasonal Turn traffic calming art at Whitelock and Brookfield.

Click here to read the article!

Click here to get your copy of the BmoreArt print journal.

BmoreArt Collaboration Graham Projects Graham, Michael, and Cara in Peabody Library
BmoreArt Collaboration Graham Projects title spread
BmoreArt Collaboration Graham Projects install team preview
BmoreArt Collaboration Graham Projects quote preview over Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk
BmoreArt Collaboration Graham Projects quote preview over Remingtopo
BmoreArt Collaboration Graham Projects spread preview featuring Allover Eyes project

Graham Projects Welcomes Isabelle to the Team

Published at In Category News Tags: , , , , ,
Isabelle Conover new Graham Projects Communications Specialist
Isabelle Conover new Graham Projects Communications Specialist

Graham Projects is excited to welcome artist Isabelle Conover (she/her) as our in-house Communications Specialist! Isabelle started with Graham Projects as an assistant art installer in fall of 2022, and is now leverage her numerous design and communications talents to help us Make Place Happen. She is supporting our process of community-based design by creating project outreach graphics, planning our future social media campaigns, helping with in-person engagement, and continuing to assist with installation.

We asked Isabelle a few questions about their personal mission, proudest achievements, their work at Graham Projects, and what placemaking/public art projects they’d love to work on. 

What got you interested in working with Graham Projects?

I’ve always been obsessed with painting BIG.  I loved the idea of murals, but had never seen anything like the horizontal street murals Graham Projects had been creating. I loved GP’s message of “Make Place Happen” and knew I wanted to be a part of their work. I was put in touch with Graham Coreil-Allen through a mutual friend, aided the GP team with installs in the Fall of 2022, and then was lucky enough to continue to be a part of Graham Projects beyond that!

What’s your guiding principle for everything you work on? 

Keep an open mind to other people’s situations. Everyone is going through something, whether it be big or small, so be kind and show appreciation for the little things that they do! It’ll go a long way.

Isabelle Conover work samples and quote

What’s one of your proudest achievements? 

During the pandemic, I started a small business that sold handmade tapestries with positive affirmations on it. It was something I was proud of because I was able to use my creativity to help others create an uplifting environment in a rough time.

What are you excited to do with Graham Projects? 

I am excited to see more and more GP projects pop up throughout Baltimore and even beyond the city. I think the work that Graham Projects produces brings a sense of wonder to the people who see it for the first time. Watching people see an install in the works, or a project that’s just been completed, is such a rewarding feeling.

What are some of your dream projects? Is there a concept that you’d love to execute in collaboration with Graham Projects? 

A community wide art scavenger hunt! I think it would be a cool concept to have a trail of street art installations that have clues that lead to each other throughout a certain area. The project could even include local small businesses, that way people could enjoy the art, go for a nice stroll, and find new spots around town!

Isabelle Conover art

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

I enjoy oil & acrylic painting, going to figure drawing sessions at a local studio, yoga, farmers markets, and going on hikes with my two dogs!

How can folks find out more about your personal creative ventures?

I can be found at @lerouxcreative on instagram & tiktok.

Druid Hill Park Canopy Crosswalk: Connecting Community & Green Space

Published at In Category Advocacy, News Tags: , , , , , ,
Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk aerial view
Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk aerial view

On April 2-3, the neighborhoods northwest of Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland, got a vibrant new crosswalk, allowing residents a safer way to access one of the city’s largest parks. As the recipient of grant funding and product sponsorship, Graham Projects collaborated with the New Auchentoroly Terrace Association (ATA) and community residents to design the Druid Hill Park Canopy Crosswalk, an 800 square-foot crosswalk on Druid Hill Drive adjacent to North Fulton Avenue, and oversaw the installation of the crosswalk and sidewalk art. 

Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk install team birds eye view

In 2018, the City of Baltimore passed Complete Streets legislation, which “elevate[s] the priority of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users in planning and roadway design to increase quality of life and mobility in Baltimore City.” The Complete Streets legislation reinforced the efforts of The Access Project: Druid Hill Park, a community-driven project that began in 2016 in support of creating safer access for all residents in surrounding neighborhoods. “Complete Streets are for everyone,” stated public artist, OSI-Baltimore Community Fellow, and ATA President Graham Coreil-Allen, “including the 50% of Druid Hill Park area residents who rely on walking, taking the bus, and riding bicycles and scooters to get to work, school, and family.”

Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk Urban Oasis youth painting
Photo by Hugh Clarke
Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk neighborhood youth painting
Photo by Hugh Clarke

In addition to the Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk installation, the sidewalks leading to the crosswalk were decorated with park-inspired artwork. Using stencils and StreetBond pavement coating products, Graham Projects added the leaf designs, selected by community members based on trees found within the park. During the Community Paint Day events on April 2 and 3, residents of all ages painted the 107 leaves lining the sidewalks in shades of blue, brown, yellow, salmon, and fuchsia, with guidance from the Graham Projects team. Additionally, ATA recruited youth from The Urban Oasis, a local nonprofit, to paint the sidewalk artwork in exchange for fair wages.  

Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk GMCC President Adeline Hutchinson and Graham Coreil-Allen
Photo by Hugh Clarke
Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk Mayor Scott and Ms. Sunni painting
Photo by Hugh Clarke

Local dignitaries and community leaders attended the April 2 events, including Mayor Brandon Scott, Maryland State Senator Antonio Hayes, Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council President Adeline Hutchinson, and ATA Vice President Cheryl Bailey Solomon. “I’ve always lived within 2-3 miles of Druid Hill Park,” said Ms. Bailey Solomon. “We are seeing the park transition to become a playground for a diverse group, and this crosswalk will be in a significant spot. Anything we can do to make that area safer is important for our community.” Senator Hayes shared his memories of growing up nearby and how difficult it could be to get to Druid Hill Park. “The work that’s being done to create safe access to one of the largest urban parks in the nation is a big deal,” he said. 

Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk youth workers peeling tape
Photo by Melvin Jadulang
Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk group photo of community leaders and sponsor
Photo by Hugh Clarke

The Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk was funded through the generous support of the ​Greater Rosemont Mondawmin (GRM) Neighborhood Spruce-Up Grant, administered by Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, Inc. and distributed via The Baltimore Regional Neighborhoods Initiative (BRNI), part of the State of Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development. A neighborhood grant from the Baltimore Community Foundation also contributed to the project. If you would like to collaborate with Graham Projects on creating safer streets and walkways in your neighborhood, connect with us here! Contact: info@grahamprojects.com.

Article written by Corinne Litchfield.

For more photos and information, visit the Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk project page: grahamprojects.com/projects/canopycrosswalk

Druid Hill Canopy Crosswalk birds eye view of Fulton Ave corner

NATCO 2021 Pandemic Grant Report is Out and Baltimore Lake2Lake is In!

Published at In Category News Tags: , , , , ,
Lake2Lake Rayobello action shot of resident jogging
Lake2Lake Rayobello action shot of resident jogging

In 2021, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) was awarded a $50,000 Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery Grant to help adapt streets in service of communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 from the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO).

Graham Projects was an integral part of the BCDOT Lake 2 Lake Project application alongside fellow community partners Bikemore and Black People Ride Bikes. The grant funded community engagement activities for traffic calming, mobile bike shop pop-ups, group bike rides, and the pavement art installation at 33rd Street and Hillen Road.

This project leveraged existing BCDOT plans for traffic calming at the main intersection gateway to Lake Montebello at 33rd Street and Hillen Road as well as maintenance and repairs to The Big Jump shared-use path leading to Druid Hill Park. Graham Projects provided project branding design, facilitated community engagement, and solicited community-based design inspiration through COVID-19-safe pop-up drawing events and via COLORoW, our custom online public art drawing tool. Based on the public conversations and drawings submitted by residents, Graham Projects developed design proposals that over 500 residents voted on in selecting the final work of traffic calming public art.

Community partner organizations, Bikemore and Black People Ride hosted a community event in November 2021 celebrating the project and unveiling the traffic calming plan by BCDOT and the community inspired pavement art design by Graham Projects named Rayobello. Local residents inspired the design by sharing their cherished experiences witnessing colorful sunrises and sunsets as seen from the lake.

Lake2Lake Druid Hill Farmers Market Pop-Up
Lake2Lake Play Day with residents stenciling art on pavement around Lake Montebello and inflatable trees in the background
Lake2Lake Rayobello aerial view

Learn how the community inspired Rayobello:

Lake 2 Lake Project Case Study

Learn about grant that supported Lake 2 Lake:

NACTO Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery Grant

NACTO Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery 2021 Grant Report

Lake2Lake Rayobello birds-eye view park entrance

New Hires at Graham Projects!

Published at In Category News Tags: , , , , ,
Graham Projects is Growing featuring Melvin Jadulang and Zoe Roane-Hopkins
Graham Projects is Growing featuring Melvin Jadulang and Zoe Roane-Hopkins

By Corinne Litchfield 

Graham Projects is growing rapidly – and thanks to two new hires, we will be serving even more communities in making place happen.  

Melvin Jadulang (he/him) is the Director of Operations and Engagement for Graham Projects. Melvin has worked in organizational management for advocacy groups and nonprofits, and has a background in real estate and entrepreneurship. Born and raised in Hawaii, Melvin relocated to Baltimore when his husband, Randall, got assigned to Fort Meade.  

Zoe Roane-Hopkins (she/her) is an Associate Placemaker and Project Designer who works closely with Graham on design development and proposals. Zoe studied landscape architecture at Penn State, then received her MA in Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art & Design. 

We asked them a few questions about their personal mission, proudest achievements, their work at Graham Projects, and what placemaking/public art projects they’d love to work on. 

What’s your guiding principle for everything you work on? 

Melvin: Meet people where they are at and allow them to be heard. Make sure they know they are valued, and that happens when you follow through: let people know what’s going on with a project and  how they can help. 

Zoe: Be kind to people and be kind to the earth. I do very thoughtful design and I like to listen – listening to people, the planet, and translate it into something that’s colorful, dynamic and interesting. I like to shift perspective through all my designs. 

What’s one of your proudest achievements? 

Melvin: In 2019, I worked with my East Baltimore Midway neighborhood to convert four vacant lots into a community green space. The Boone Street Commons has different elements to engage the community: garden, park, and a picnic area/event space. 

Boone Street Commons Aerial
Located in East Baltimore, Boone Street Commons is a community green space that includes a garden, park, and event/picnic area. The project was funded by a Spruce Up Grant from Central Baltimore Partnership.
Kids walking into Boone Street Commons
Local youth walking into Boone Street Commons. Photo by Side A Photography side-a.com

Zoe: Winning an award for my Space Frame design in the Design for Distancing competition last year. A friend told me to submit – I pulled my design together in two days and submitted right at the deadline. After my design was posted on Instagram, local landscape architecture firm EnviroCollab reached out to me about installing the Space Frame at a BelAir-Edison neighborhood event.   

SpaceFrame exploded diagram
The SpaceFrame design by Zoe Roane-Hopkins is a modular structure that can be fitted for use as a takeout counter, retail display area, or countertop seating. The concept encourages interaction while incorporating safe social distancing. 
SpaceFrames setup along Belair Road in Belair-Edison neighborhood as part of EnviroCollab’s Design for Distancing project.

What will you be doing with Graham Projects? 

Zoe: I split my time between EnviroCollab and Graham Projects, so every day is a little different. I recently submitted a design proposal for pavement art, and at our Pigtown pop-up event, I connected with community members on traffic calming and bumpout pavement art. I created coloring pages for people to use to give us their ideas. The community was enthusiastic – I liked talking with them and listening to their ideas. 

Melvin: As the director of operations and engagement, I facilitate the processes, whether it’s with the community that’s invited us, or the actual project from start to finish. Part of my role involves keeping us true to the Graham Projects philosophy of making place happen and making sure the community is represented in the work we’re doing with them.  

What are some of your dream projects? Is there a concept that you’d love to execute in collaboration with Graham Projects? 

Melvin: I want to create opportunities so that a neighborhood can experience high quality placemaking and public art on any budget. We’re shifting the narrative to say that placemaking & public art can exist anywhere, and that means making it accessible for all. I’m also interested in developing a kit or service for neighborhoods that encourages and supports engagement in the placemaking process. 

Zoe: I’d love to do a cross collaboration between EnviroCollab and Graham Projects that pulls together street art and landscaping architecture components. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

Zoe: I play ukulele, guitar, and piano – I like to write songs & make animations to accompany them. I’m trying to learn the banjo, too. I also enjoy hiking and camping, and once the weather cools down I’ll go backpacking with my boyfriend. I really like to cook and currently I’m working through recipes in a dim sum cookbook I got for Christmas. 

Melvin: I like taking bike rides through Baltimore. Finding cool new restaurants and cafes and visiting breweries & pubs are also fun. I like building furniture, like a bench or table. And of course gardening! 

If you would like to collaborate with Graham Projects on improving a public space in your neighborhood, connect with us here!

2020 Challenges & Innovations

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Curbside Commons Harford & Rosekemp Midblock Crosswalk
Curbside Commons Harford & Rosekemp Midblock Crosswalk

2020 proved to be an unprecedented year of challenges and innovations for Graham Projects. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic several of our public art and civic engagement projects were either cancelled or significantly delayed. Remaining projects were significantly slowed by the need to take precautionary measures in conducting community engagement and installation of our works. From these challenges arose new opportunities for remote creative collaboration and physically distancing activations of public space. We are proud and appreciative of having so many amazing partners who continue to help us improve cities through public art and civic engagement. Below are a few highlights of our work this year and the folks who made it all possible.

Make Place Happen COLORoW drawing sample

In May we responded to the limitations of in-person engagement posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by collaborating with Tobey Albright and Mollie Edgar of Hour Studio to create the online placemaking toolkit, Make Place Happen. The Make Place Happen website offers resources for “Do-it-Yourself Urbanism” and/or participating with Graham Projects’ current placemaking efforts. The most exciting feature is COLORoW, a coloring book-like web app for drawing your own artistic crosswalk or pavement mural. 

Make Place Happen / COLORoW
Design for Distancing Curblet Commons perspective

Also in May, we responded to Neighborhood Design Center’s “Design for Distancing” call for ideas to help businesses along Baltimore’s main streets safely reopen using spatial distancing outdoor public space enhancements. The Graham Projects Curblet Commons design kit transforms an on-street parking lane into an accessible, safe, and inviting pedestrian space including creative ADA curb ramps, modular barriers, and physical distancing stencils. Out of over 160 submissions, the Curblet Commons open source accessibility designs were one of ten selected for the Design For Distancing Guidebook. This free guidebook provides COVID-19 safe placemaking inspiration for businesses, cities, and people worldwide on how to safely reopen and improve their own public spaces. Click here to download the free Design for Distancing Guidebook.

Design for Distancing Guidebook
Curbside Commons First Friday evening gathering

Soon after seeing our designs accepted into the Design for Distancing guidebook, we partnered with Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street, Property Consulting, Inc., LANNINGSMITH, and Annie Howe Papercuts to secure a large design-build commission transforming three blocks of Harford Road into a place for safe pedestrian gathering and neighborhood shopping. Our Curbside Commons Design for Distancing project converted a parking lane into a public space for community, shopping, services, and culinary encounters along Hamilton-Lauraville’s main street, Harford Road. Design for Distancing is a tactical urban design initiative of the Baltimore Development Corporation and Neighborhood Design Center intended to help small businesses in Baltimore reopen without compromising public health. We met with the adjacent small businesses to understand their needs to stay open while maintaining physical distancing and other COVID-19 precautions. In response we delivered outdoor seating, distancing markers, event space, pedestrian and wheelchair accessibility, public art, signage, bicycle parking, and artful wayfinding.

Curbside Commons
Collington Square Oak Wisdom crosswalks aerial

After a marathon of fall install, we managed to find a few more warm enough days to fit in one last exciting project – the Oak Wisdom art crosswalks in Colling Square. During pre-COVID community engagement, we learned that the Collington Square community of East Baltimore holds a 200+ year old Swamp White Oak tree as its symbol. Working with resident input, we designed the “Oak Wisdom” traffic calming art crosswalks and Collington Square Neighborhood Association street pole banners are inspired by looking up through those sanctuary leaves. The street pole banners elevate neighborhood identity by showcasing a positive symbol for the area – the beloved centuries-old tree that stands magnificently atop the hill in their local park. The art crosswalks and “bump outs” provide a welcome gateway to Collington Square while slowing down aggressive car traffic, improving street-crossing safety for its residents who rely on walking to get to school and work.

Collington Square Oak Wisdom