Welcoming the Community into GOVANS URBAN FOREST
This community art project was completed in Professor Billy Friebele’s SA 367 / CM 370 Public Art Fine Art class. Students participating in this project were: Wes Contrino, Jasmine Wiggins, Caitlin Lonergan, and David Fink. The project was completed on May 7, 2019. Professor Friebele’s class partnered with the Public Spaces & Greening Committee of the York Road Partnership.
Loyola student Jasmine Wiggins created the sign welcoming visitors into the Govans Urban Forest
Wes Contrino, Caitlin Lonergan, and David Fink created an interactive tic-tac-toe board that children can play with when visiting the Urban Forest.
Project Description
Members of the Public Spaces & Greening Committee of the York Road Partnership met with students in Public Art class, explained their mission, and what they hoped to accomplish in the future. Students then worked in collaborative teams to develop detailed proposals, presented these materials to the committee, and listened to feedback. The groups fabricated and installed sustainable public art projects in Govans Urban Forest by the end of the semester.
Jasmine Wiggins used a laser cutter to craft a new sign for the entrance of the park with the title of the park engraved into cedar boards. Wes Contrino, Caitlin Lonergan, and David Fink created an interactive tic-tac-toe board that children can play with, where the X’s and O’s are replaced with paintings of native plants, birds, flowers, and insects.
Students were excited to put their skills to work and make an impact. They reported a positive learning experience due to direct engagement with sustainability issues and interaction with community organizers.