Hesed House of Wharton’s Post

The Transformative Power of Art in Community Building In the past week, I've witnessed two profoundly different examples of how art can impact and strengthen communities. The first occurred during our subdivision's community garage sale. As an artist, I offered to host a sidewalk chalk event, something I've done many times before in communities. Donning my alter ego, Professor Bubbles (complete with a bubble-painted lab coat), I set up along a pathway with bubble machines and boxes of chalk. Surprisingly, this event drew more adults than children. Neighbors who typically remain isolated in their homes came out, picked up chalk, and began to interact. Even a door-to-door pest control salesman joined in, spending an hour simply enjoying the camaraderie without once mentioning his services. It was a beautiful reminder of how art can break down barriers and foster connections. The second example took place in Dayton, Ohio, where I witnessed the creation of a large sidewalk mosaic memorializing a tragic mass shooting from several years ago. My friend Jes McMillan of the Mosaic Institute of Dayton shared that over the past six months, more than 5,000 community members contributed to laying out the tiles during open studio events. In recent days, dozens more have helped with completion and grouting. This project exemplifies how art can facilitate healing and unity in the wake of tragedy. The overwhelming community support and participation in creating this memorial underscore the power of public art to bring people together and provide a tangible symbol of collective resilience. From simple chalk drawings that help neighbors connect, to complex mosaics that unite thousands in a shared purpose, community art builds engagement and strengthens social bonds. It provides a platform for expression, healing, and connection that transcends words. I'm eager to hear your experiences with community art. Please share your stories in the comments or email me at timothywellsarts@gmail.com. Let's continue to explore and celebrate the transformative power of art in our communities. #CommunityArt #PublicArt #ArtHeals #CommunityBuilding #CreativeEngagement

New on Parlour: Why do we continue to prioritise grand bastions of public art and culture? How can we shift focus to impactful work that helps the least fortunate in our society? Patrick Kenny explores the issues around social equity and public space, questioning what we choose to value and celebrate. “In a city where the built environment serves as both a canvas for architectural expression and a reflection of societal values, it’s saddening that we continue to gleefully highlight and promote the pomp and vanity of the rich, while generally ignoring the very real plight of the poor that surrounds us... Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that we need to defund the arts to pay for the homeless, but I’m sure I’m not the only one to see a lacklustre exhibition and wonder how much anyone actually got from it. And when you consider the significant costs to build, heat, insure and secure these gallery spaces, you do start to wonder if some of this funding could be more beneficial elsewhere.” Head to the website to read the full article, which is a thought-provoking read. https://lnkd.in/gBTUH-k6 #socialequity #publicspace #emergencyhousing #priorities

🎨 How Public Art Changes the World for the Better 🎨 Public art is more than just decoration – it's a powerful tool for social change and community building. From murals that tell the stories of marginalized communities to sculptures that challenge our perceptions, public art has the ability to transform spaces and inspire action. One of my favorite examples is [insert specific example or story]. This piece not only beautified the neighborhood but also sparked important conversations about [insert relevant social issue]. It's a reminder that art is a universal language that can bridge divides and bring people together.Public art creates a sense of identity and pride, encourages community engagement, and can even drive economic development by attracting visitors and businesses to the area. It's a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration. **Have you experienced the impact of public art in your community? Share your stories and favorite pieces below!** ⬇️ #PublicArt #CommunityBuilding #SocialChange #ArtForGood #CreativeImpact

Yesterday, I wrote and delivered this national trends report to my local Goose Creek, SC Cultural Arts Commission. This report offers insights into emerging trends in the arts sector focusing on community engagement, equity, accessibility, and supporting diverse leadership within the arts. While some recommendations are tailored specifically to Goose Creek, such as supporting local arts-based businesses and making arts spaces more accessible, the overarching themes of inclusivity, equitable practices, and the importance of community engagement are universally applicable. This report encourages communities everywhere to evaluate their arts programming and initiatives through these lenses, suggesting that even those outside Goose Creek could find valuable strategies and ideas to apply locally. Whether it's diversifying the types of art presented, ensuring equitable pay and contracts for artists, or enhancing accessibility for all community members, there's a wealth of insights that can inspire positive changes in arts communities nationwide. #ArtsInnovation #CommunityArts #EquitableArts #CulturalTrends #ArtsAccessibility #InclusiveArts #LocalArtsImpact #CreativeCommunities #ArtsAdvocacy #GooseCreekArts

I love bold ideas for reshaping the way we support arts & culture in our country. This is an interesting one: what if we funded operating costs as infrastructure? "As with infrastructure projects such as the building and maintenance of highways, funding cultural institutions will directly support employment: Culture in the United States employs about five million people and pumps about $1 trillion into the economy annually. New funding would boost local economies, cultivate a more equitable arts sector, and promote and protect arts organizations in small and medium-size cities. It would help to disentangle larger arts institutions from the largess of wealthy individuals and corporations, which currently wield an inordinate and thorny amount of influence. (Think of the Sackler family.) And it could defang some of the most pernicious culture-war arguments against arts funding, since it’s much harder to object to paying to fix a museum’s leaky roof than to paying to exhibit a photograph." A good read! Thanks for sharing it Joe Waters!

“Art’s purpose is to raise questions, not offer a defined answer. An image giving an explicit answer is merely propaganda. True art invites the observer to ask important questions, engage in discussion – with the art, the artist, and with their community - and ultimately develop an understanding of what “solution” mean to them. But Americans do not spend the time necessary in front of art – to pause and understand.” - Words of Abel Ortiz, Associate Professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, and leader of the Mural initiative in Uvalde, TX memorializing those who passed away in the Robb Elementary tragedy. His mural initiative has been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of the American Latino https://lnkd.in/gEhDGs7R, and others https://lnkd.in/gpd-M9mt. It was exciting for Jasmine Wright and me to explore with Abel ways art can help Uvalde discover new and future meaning by asking: What is Uvalde's identity? What type of community should it become? How can it be defined in ways other than trauma and tragedy? The well-being economy begins with a common vision of shared prosperity fitted to a community's unique assets, values, opportunities, and challenges. The IC2 Institute at The University of Texas at Austin hopes that community art will aid Uvalde engage the important questions (above) through joint dialogue and ensure a bright future for all its residents. Thank you to Monica Muñoz-Martinez, Noel Busch-Armendariz, Gloria Gonzalez-Lopez, Caitlin Sulley, LMSW, Monica Unzueta for your leadership, support, and collaboration in this project. #uvalde #art #artbusiness #communitydevelopment #future #vision #identity #wellbeing #wellbeingeconomy

An interesting article from Ruth Bloomfield in the Evening Standard this week spotlighting Peckham and the impact that growing popularity and rising rents is having on the local community.     Turner.Works project Peckham Levels is mentioned in the article as an example of positive development in the area. Peckham Levels embodies our approach to delivering places that are both commercially successful and able to meet genuine community needs. Following close collaboration and consultation with the local community, we transformed a derelict car park into a vibrant social and arts space, which provides employment and affordable creative workspace (prioritised for local people), and injects profits back into supporting the community.   We applied the same way of thinking when designing Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in Peckham. At its core, Mountview is designed to break down barriers to entry into an historically hard-to-access industry for young people from all backgrounds, also offering affordable spaces for local community arts groups and revenue-driving cafés and bar.    As we move forward, let's prioritise projects that seamlessly integrate with the unique character of a place, avoiding the creation of buildings that feel out of place and, inadvertently, displace the very people and businesses that define the community.   https://lnkd.in/eqzRiEVm

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The Power and Complexity of Community Art Spaces: Lessons from Ann Arbor's Graffiti Alley Ann Arbor's Graffiti Alley has long been a canvas for street artists, but recent events highlight both the potential and challenges of community art spaces. Two contrasting projects currently occupy this space: 1) A social experiment by Jeremy Mulder and Adam Hess, who record eye contact and smiles from passersby. This non-performative art activates the space, encouraging human connection. 2) A controversial series of "fart" graffiti covering existing artwork, sparking debates about respect, artistic expression, and the future of the alley. These projects demonstrate how community art spaces can: - Foster creativity and social engagement - Prompt discussions about art's role in society - Challenge our perceptions of what constitutes "art" - Risk censorship when art becomes contentious As someone passionate about community art, I'm fascinated by how these spaces evolve. They're living entities, reflecting societal changes and individual expressions. What are your thoughts on community art spaces? How can we balance creative freedom with community standards? Should all voices be equal in these spaces? #CommunityArt #UrbanArt #PublicSpaces #ArtisticExpression #AnnArbor Additional resources: https://lnkd.in/gqb7eRiT https://lnkd.in/g8t4eVk4

Brooklyn: A Flourishing Hub for Businesses & Families Brooklyn offers an exciting blend for businesses and families alike! The renowned Brooklyn Children's Museum and Waterfront Museum ignite curiosity in all ages. These cultural centers are also fantastic for exploring Brooklyn's diverse neighborhoods. Expanding your business or relocating your family? We're experts in connecting you with thriving Brooklyn communities! Comment below & tell us your favorite Brooklyn neighborhood! Let's discuss your real estate goals. #BrooklynRealEstate #BusinessGrowth #FamilyFriendly