Metropolis Magazine’s Post

A generous $15,000 grant from the Williamsport Lycoming Competitive Grant Program at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania will go toward a decorative arts restoration project at the #cac. Entailing general touch-ups, plaster repairs, replicating textures and in-painting throughout the 2,100-seat theater, the project will ensure that visitors can fully experience the venue's architectural splendor and storied history for years to come. "We’re very grateful for the support we receive from FCFP, and their investment in the continued architectural restoration of the arts center’s public spaces is instrumental to maintaining the grandeur of the space," said Jim Dougherty, executive director of the CAC. Thank you to the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania for their support of this project! Learn more about the grant and the theatre's prior renovation here: https://bit.ly/3C95GE4 #penncollege

We are so honored and excited to officially announce our Round 2 projects! In order of appearance: 1. Green Pastures - In cooperation with local stakeholders, preservation groups, and Douthat State Park, the project will introduce an interpretive trail and a staged reading to showcase the rich heritage and stories associated with Green Pastures. This recreational area holds significant cultural importance as a recreational haven for African Americans during an era of segregation. 2. 23/54 - In 1947, 23 Black parents and 54 children challenged racial discrimination in the court case Corbin v. County School Board of Pulaski County, Virginia. Inspired by this story, the Calfee Community and Cultural Center (CCCC) aims to research and tell the stories of brave Black parents in Southwest Virginia, their ancestors and descendants through oral history interviews, archival research, a traveling exhibit, and a community-created quilt. 3. Yesáh Community House - The Monacan Nation Cultural Foundation will be building a modern-day long house that will serve as a physical monument of the Monacan people in Virginia. It will be constructed on the Monacan pow wow grounds in Monroe, VA and will become the permanent home of this annual event. 4. Labor in Motion - The Town of Pound, VA and Appalachian Voices will be partnering in creating an amphitheater and decorative retaining wall. The amphitheater will be transformed into the town's first performance venue for town events and storytelling events chosen by town residents. (See rendering of the Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC) above. Neither rendering nor location have been finalized.) 5. Raising the Shade - More than 180,000 African American soldiers made significant contributions in the American Civil War, however, only a handful of monuments to these men exist. The Franklin County NAACP aims to share these stories and more at various community events over the next year, as well as dedicating a monument to these soldiers. To learn more about Round 1 & 2 projects, please visit moremountainstories.org Mellon Foundation Virginia Tech College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Monument Lab #moremountainstories

Funding Alert for Public Art! Application deadline: January 31, 2025 Geographic scope: United States, Canada, and Mexico Grant amount: Up to $100,000, as well as technical assistance and evaluation support Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative supports arts-driven street redesigns that improve safety, revitalize public spaces, and engage local communities. The Initiative’s current funding round will award ten grants of up to $100,000 each and provide on-call technical assistance and impact evaluation support to cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States with populations of 50,000 or more. The focus is on large-scale projects that will make important streets safer and more accessible, create significant new public spaces, or enact other similarly transformative roadway redesigns. Applicants must include a lead city agency, the primary government agency overseeing the project. Applicant teams are encouraged to include collaborative partners, such as other city agencies, nonprofit community or arts organizations, or individual artists or consultants. Learn more 👇 https://lnkd.in/g-QJWsN9

In Kansas City, a first-ever stadium designed for women's sports takes the field. CPKC Stadium, designed for the Kansas City Current by the women-led architecture firm Generator Studio, aims to revive an urban waterfront without public funds. https://lnkd.in/eS2ba7fw

🌍 Recontextualizing Confederate Narratives in the Deep South 🌍 I’m excited to share a recent project that has been both a professional and personal journey: Recontextualizing Confederate Narratives in the Deep South. This initiative focuses on Port Gibson, Mississippi, a small town with a history dominated by Confederate monuments, antebellum architecture, and systemic inequities. Architecture is a reflection of society’s values, and in rural Mississippi, the built environment has long served to glamorize oppression. This project challenges white supremacist narratives by reinterpreting this history, highlighting stories of Black activism and resilience, and fostering collective intergenerational healing. The proposed design introduces a heritage trail connecting spaces tied to both Black-led activism and Confederate history, encouraging visitors to confront the complex and painful realities of the past. It seeks to evoke emotions ranging from anger and sadness to hope and inspiration. The journey culminates in a renovated theater designed as a space for somatic healing and collective liberation from oppression. Key design features include: A durable brick pathway symbolizing resilience and renewal. A bike lane to promote accessibility and sustainable transportation. A focus on sustainability and historic preservation, repurposing existing resources to empower the community. This project draws on historical research into Black-led activism, site analysis, and non-Western psychology to create a deeply intentional design approach. By intertwining historical reinterpretation, community engagement, and sustainable design practices, it envisions a future for Port Gibson that is more equitable, connected, and rooted in truth. I’m inspired by the potential for architecture and urban design to challenge systemic oppression and tell untold stories. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this work or discuss similar projects you’ve encountered. #RewritingHistory #SocialChangeByDesign #TraumaInformedDesign #EquityThroughArchitecture #HeritageTrail

It's been easy to integrate my life as a home educator and my interest in politics and public service. For my homeschooling moms out there, here are a few wonderful points that can be taught from this event. These projects work well for parents whose children are in traditional school. Summer is long; keep them busy! 😉 Research Windom Road and the barrier that separated North Brentwood and Brentwood. Research the current mayor of Brentwood. Her election was a significant milestone. Ask your scholars to find out what that milestone is! Take a trip to the Windom Road Sculpture. Have your students reimagine how they would have turned the barrier into a sculpture. Who created this art piece? Look at other examples of their work. This project was funded by many organizations, one was the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. What is their role in our County? (hint.. it's super interesting and there are decisions being made at MNCPPC now that impact us for years to come.) Interview the Mayor of Brentwood or North Brentwood and find out what it took to collaborate and bring this project to life. These are just a few exciting things that can be done to enrich your scholars this summer!

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

Top Secret Event 🔎 Intrigued? Find the keys & unlock the secrets to historic preservation in this Sherlock Holmes & Nancy Drew inspired Tinker’a-zation Station event. Now, will you accept the mission and try to unlock the keys? After all, #HistoricPreservation may be a mystery to some. But that will all change with this titillating approach to solving this not-so dusty look into the past, present and future of >>> Historic Preservation! Top Secret Fun & Games ‘R Afoot:: > Super-Sleuth Kits > Tools of the Trade > Mystery Disguise Dress-up > Historic-Restore Take-Home Craft > What’s the Time(line)? > Tiny Treasure Hunt > BIG Board of Mysterious Places A variety of interactive stations provide a fun-filled way to explore the world of historic preservation. Where all ages can learn about important historic places in the City of Fayetteville and the keys to saving them. Presented by Level 5 Architecture & Pencil to Pixels in conjunction with the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas. When: May 18, 2024 Time: 8:00 am - 11:00’ish am Where: Fayetteville Farmer’s Market Cost: Free Ages: All ages (2-102) Link: https://fb.me/e/6E9JS73JD

The Public Energy website carried a caveat to people buying tickets to the Erring art installation. “Come prepared: Erring on the Mount takes place in a building undergoing a transformation after being unused for five years; parts of it are still musty, there is no running water and the elevators are not in service. Bring a good pair of walking shoes, a bottle of water and a spirit of adventure as you make your way around Erring on the Mount.” Regardless, Erring opened to huge crowds that jammed the buildings’ hallways. Thousands of people attended the show from May 30 to June 1, 2014. The Crazy-Assed Dreamers behind the project reveled in seeing the excitement of the attendees and the dreams of the artists coming to fruition. “The artists took over the building in such creative ways," noted Donna Kylie. "Upstairs in the chapel, choirs sang from the loft and also at the front. Aerialists used the old attic in C Wing for a performance that resembled a nest full of birds hatching and taking flight. We watched belly dancing on the front lawn. "I remember peeking into one small pink room to see a bathtub and sticking out of the ceiling were two stocking clad legs. It looked like a nun had blasted through and all that was left was from the knees down. I didn’t get it.” Six other projects highlighted the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph in unique ways. Explore them all in this summary: https://buff.ly/406l9hl #affordablehousing #housing #crazyasseddreamers #seizeopportunity #miracles #creativity #partnerships #creativepartnerships

"Sankofa: How Art Can Be Used To Honor Our Stories Today" Murals and public art are more than just creative expressions—they are living, breathing testaments to history. By turning everyday spaces into vibrant tributes, public art ensures that the stories of courage, resilience, and community are never lost. In a world where history can fade into the background, murals keep it alive, inspiring reflection and connection. Art as a Bridge to History 🌉 Murals have a unique ability to connect us to the stories that shaped our world. They celebrate unsung heroes, capture pivotal moments, and provide a sense of pride for generations to come. Through color and form, art transcends words, giving life to history in ways that resonate deeply. The Hunton Life Saving Crew Mural 🚑 One such example is the mural I recently created to honor the Hunton Life Saving Crew, the nation’s first all-Black rescue squad. This group of trailblazers risked their lives to save others at a time when racial segregation was deeply entrenched. The mural not only commemorates their courage and dedication but also sheds light on their significant contributions to public service and equality. It stands as a tribute to their legacy while encouraging reflection on the progress still needed in the fight for justice and inclusion. Why Art Matters 🎨 Public art like this serves as a bridge between history and modern life. It reminds us of the struggles and triumphs of those who came before us and inspires action for a better future. Art is not just decoration—it is a call to remember, reflect, and honor. #PublicArt #MuralsMatter #MuralsWithMeaning