The first block party for the Central Corridor Friendly Streets Initiative is tomorrow!  I made a little logo for my group’s project:

Nine other artists and I were selected to work with Jun-Li Wang from Springboard for the Arts to develop creative placemaking activities at summer block parties in the Hamline Midway and Frogtown neighborhoods of St. Paul, MN.  The events are designed as a way for residents in the Central Corridor to come together and collectively address some of the issues & concerns surrounding light rail construction and the overall changes in the neighborhood.

The website with all the details: http://hamlinemidway.org/friendly-streets

You don’t specifically have to live right near the block to come to the block party; the goal is to bring in people from throughout the community.  There will be free food and art activities at each event.  My team’s project is called the pLaYMaGinAtiON sPaCE and combines a visual art component with theater/drama/role play games.  We are presenting it on three dates: July 8^th, July 29^th and August 19^th.  Other team’s projects include building ring toss benches, making paper mache bowls using recycled materials, bike tune-ups with bike flag stencils, a “vacant hearts” activity that addresses the many foreclosed homes in the area, and a “what I wish/what I will” photography project.  All the artists involved are phenomenal people to work with and I am so excited to see all of these activities brought to fruition in the next few weeks.  Two or three projects are scheduled for each block party.

Here’s a full list of the dates:

Block Party 1:

• Friday July 8 from 3:30-7:30pm
• On Charles Avenue between Syndicate and Griggs
• Hosted by Erin at 1126 Charles

Block Party 2:

• Friday July 22 from 3:30-7:30pm
• On Charles Avenue between Pascal and Albert
• Hosted by Kimberly at 1414 Charles

Block Party 3:

• Friday July 29 from 3:30-7:30pm
• On Charles Avenue between Milton and Victoria
• Hosted by Cossandra at 891 Charles and Emily at 825 Charles

Block Party 4:

• Friday August 5 from 3:30-7:30pm
• On Charles Avenue somewhere between Western and Rice
• Exact location and host TBD

Block Party 5:

• Friday August 12 from 3:30-7:30pm
• On Charles Avenue somewhere between Kent and Mackubin
• hosted by Jeff at 529 Mackubin

Block Party 6:

• Friday August 19 from 3:30-7:30pm
• At 533 N Dale Street
• hosted by Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation