Community
An essential goal of the "City of Champions" installation was to engage the community, asking viewers to reflect on the ideas and themes that they observed in the work, and to share those observations. In addition to the walking tours, other events and projects have been developed to foster these conversations. This page will be updated as the year progresses, so please check back.
“That picture [of the back-yard pool] is the one that Brockton will be happy with; the powers-that-be and the establishment in this city will be proud to show that picture.
But it is nostalgic: that’s what Brockton used to be, and that’s the Brockton that folk here want it to be. But that Brockton is gone, and those folk won’t be back.
We need to face reality, and Nancy [the girl with cigars] is reality: she lives, she breathes, she moves. The other is not us, and is not reflective of who we are.”
From "Who Belongs Where?" Pastor Michael Walker, Messiah Baptist Church
Youth Arts and Identity Project
With the Center for Community-Based Learning, Stonehill College. Stonehill College sociology students are working with Brockton West Middle School students to respond to the installation and create their own artistic responses to the work.
EVENTS
"Visual Learning" Panel Discussion with Mary Beth Meehan, Carleton College Weitz Center for Creativity, Friday September 28, 2012
Lecture: "The City of Champions Project," Mary Beth Meehan, The Massachusetts History Conference, with the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, College of the Holy Cross, June 11, 2012
Spring Walking Tour of the Installation with Mary Beth Meehan, Joe Angelo's Cafe, Saturday, May 12, 2012, 11:00 a.m.
The Gateway Cities Creative Placemaking Summit, "City of Champions" on display, MassInc, UMassLowell, April 11, 2012
Guided Tour: “Organizing Youth Through Public Arts,” Massachusetts Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA, December 12, 2011
Public Forum: “Who Belongs Where?” Messiah Baptist Church, October 22, 2011 (Full transcript available.)
Lecture: “Public Art and Civic Engagement,” with Mary Beth Meehan, Martin Institute for Law and Society,
Stonehill College, October 12, 2011
Guided Tour: “Brockton's History,” with Dr. Willie Wilson, Historian, October 19, 2011
Guided Tours: "Arts and Humanities Month," With Jill Wiley, the Brockton Cultural Council, and Corey Dolgon, Stonehill College, Saturday, October 1-8-15-22
Community-wide Open House and Inaugural Walking Tour, September 23-24