MXM01

Thinking about...how to create community in my neighborhood. Inspired by supper clubs I've either planned or attended and other creative placemaking projects, I envision a diverse, historically rooted and community driven meal in Malcolm X Park.

Malcolm X Meals

MXM01

What if we had a long train of mismatched dinner tables and chairs from the north end of the park to the Joan of Arc statue filled with neighbors, meals and connection? What if we could gather the people who actually live in the vicinity of the park to meet each other and share who they are and where they came from?

concept

Gather the community from around Malcolm X Park to meet for a series of potluck meals. Each attendee will bring a family recipe and be prepared to share his/her own story of what the meal means to him/her. Conversationists from the community will trained and seated throughout the tables to help guide conversation and ensure everyone meets and learns something new.

Each meal will have a theme to teach us about either the park or DC area and will be organically woven into the experience. 

funding

As this is still a concept, I'm looking for funding to make sure this is a successful event and do the proper outreach and documentation. 

we need your help

Conversationists, street team, furniture designers, historians, permit givers, photographer, bartenders...we need you! If you are interested in helping to organize, please email me. 

We especially need: 

• street team - these people will do outreach to the community.
• planners - are you great at getting shit done? Good. We need you.
• historian/local storytellers - do you know this history of this place? Share it and help others to learn about it, too.
• photographer/videographer - we'd like to capture these meals without being intrusive or distracting. We also want to encourage people to put away their phones.
• designers - would be helpful to have some nice branding for history components and interactions we may try. 
• donors - we need people to help fund whatever money we might need for permits, furniture,  beverages, outreach, etc.

Pow! Wow! in NOMA

Visited a few murals from Pow! Wow! DC in NOMA today. The variety and scale is really impressive. I love seeing well-curated and enlightening art in public spaces.

Definitely worth checking out!

Artists:

Matt Corrado, Jacob Eveland, Persue, Insa, Vero, Drew Merritt, The YOK, Sheryo, HOXXOH, Caratoes, Cory Oberndorfer, No Kings Collective, HKS181, Kelly Towles, Wooden Wave, Naturel, Jeff Gress, and Decoy.  

Mural locations:

100 Florida Ave NE (Elevation Apartments)
16 M Street NE (formerly Crucible)
41 New York Avenue NE
40 Patterson NE (Unity Health Care)
1222 First Street NE (formerly Ibiza)
1215 3rd Street NE
MBT Wall between R Street NE & New York Avenue NE

More info: Pow! Wow! DC

Thoughts on placemaking from Vancouver // PPS' Placemaking Leadership Forum

A few weeks ago I attended the PPS Placemaking Leadership Forum in Vancouver, BC. Being relatively new to the field as a professional, I was eager to learn what others were doing around the world and how the term 'placemaking' continues to be defined. 

I think what is most fascinating about the term placemaking is that it both unites people and creates a certain kind of line in the sand. Are you going to try to own placemaking, or be a part of it? It's less a discipline as it is a way of being...which makes it even more ambiguous. Because of its roots (and I suppose current practice) in activism, there was a lot of talk about how to keep it out of the mainstream, which I think is bogus. If we want everyone to work towards creating the best places for all people, then we really need to accept and educate everyone. I understand why there's a fear of people or entities using the term as a way to mask commercial interest, but isn't it better to educate and open up best practices to that world and at least try to work together? 

One big elephant in the room is -- how to create sustainable places that are great and continue to thrive despite rising costs and the need for constant maintenance? I am a huge believe in lighter, quicker, cheaper, but we still need to figure out the heavier, slower, more expensive in order to actually ensure sustainable urban development. 

Artwork in a metro stop in Downtown Vancouver (if you know the artist please leave info. in the comments so I can update!). Is this placemaking??

First night in Vancouver, I made a friend on Twitter (via the #placemakingweek) and we went on a bike ride around the Vancouver Harbor. We took bikes on the seabus! And ate on Granville Island! And ended up at a craft beer hall! 

Since my work is actually in placemaking, I have spent a lot time thinking about its definition and spend even more time forcing myself to stay open about how other people define it and practice it. The whole point is that is is community-oriented and open-minded, so sticking to a strict definition and a narrow-viewed understanding is almost anti-placemaking. 

Nearly every electric box I saw in Downtown Vancouver was wrapped with really interesting artwork. This is thanks to a collaboration between the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association and the Emily Carr University of Art & Design. Is this placemaking?

At the conference, I met many different people who approach placemaking in many different ways. Some were architects, some activists, some consultants, some non-profit arts organizations. All were committed to creating great spaces for the community. Presentations were all over the map, but the most useful ones shared specific examples of activation, measurement, and working with multiple stakeholders. 

Slide from Daniel Latorre's session on Digital Placemaking. 

Main takeaways: 

• Community-based -- there's no way around this. True placemaking is based on the community itself - not (just) the government, the land owners, the organization leaders, the loudest person in the room, but the people that actually use the space. This can get really funky, especially if you don't yet know who uses the space or have certain aspirations about who uses the space. 
• Multi-use -- I think Bryant park is more-or-less an amusement park, but there is truth in multi-use space as a key factor to creating an ACTIVE place. You can have a very well-designed and beautiful space, but you won't get people in to linger if there aren't enough things to do. Moveable chairs is not enough, but it is a great start. 
• Collaboration -- Probably the #1 thing that was talked about as being absolutely necessary to creating great places. It doesn't mean that everyone has to be onboard with the same vision, but everyone should contribute and try to collaborate. 
• Placemaking as/is activism -- Another really obvious theme that is super interesting as sometimes this divides people. I talked to quite a few 'professionals' that felt a out-of-place at the conference because they were, in fact, working architects or developers. It also seemed like many of the more popular happenings or changes started as guerrilla movements that then were adopted by official entities. Though, many were very well planned (with the community and key stakeholders) initiatives, and all major projects needed serious funds, which typically came from a combo of government and land owners or developers and organizations and/or crowd funding.
• Metrics + Graphics -- It's all about the story you tell. And the way you show the stats can make all the difference. To funders. To the community. To yourself. 
• Digital Placemaking -- Instead of blanketing new technology in a city or a place, why not actually think about how technology is already being used by the community and how it can create more avenues for collaboration and creation? Instead of a focus on technology for consumption, let's pay attention to how it is used for positive community-building and civic engagement. This is probably my favorite area of placemaking and I was super excited to meet other people interested in it and starting to do work in it. Soon there will be a Digital Placemaking Institute - and I am very excited to see where this goes! Contact @danlatorre for more info if you are interested. 
• A movement…-- anyone can participate in placemaking. I think this is really comforting. Whether you just moved to a new place or have been living somewhere for decades, you have the power to make your own community a little bit better. It may just be smiling at someone in the elevator, but your part matters and is the only way to build community and a sense of place.  

I love this. And I took this photo from a slide...and the presenter did not know the source. Please let me know in the comments if you know!

Questions I still have about placemaking, particularly for other people working in this field:

If the goal is to create a great place for all people, how do you ensure certain people don't eventually get priced out of the community?

Does it matter who owns the space? Can privately-owned spaces be just as successful (according to the community) as publicly owned spaces? I think yes, as my work is mostly in this arena, but it seems still up to debate. 

How can we create sustainable urban environments for people to live, work and play without catering solely to the socio-economic class that can afford the price of modern-day (urban) development? 

How do you define digital placemaking? (another area in which I do a lot of work and am curious how others define it)

Other things I did in Vancouver: shopped at Kit+Ace, ate lots of amazing food, solidified my belief that all global cities are facing the same issues (and have the same coffeeshops) and had great conversations with great people. 

Futher Reading: 

Digital technology as one pathway to social inclusion in placemaking - by Cities for People

The City at Eye Level ed. by Hans Karssenberg, Jeroen Laven, Meredith Glaser & Mattijs van ‘t Hoff

This is Where you Belong by Melody Warnick

Tactical Urbanism by Mike Lydon

Season of the Witch: Enchanment, Terror, and Deliverance in the City of Love by David Talbot

Recoded City: Co-creating Urban Futures by Thomas Ermacora

Leading the inclusive city: Place-based innovation for a bounded planet by Robin Hambleton

The City is not a Lab by Leah Meisterlin

OSGEMEOS artwork as seen from the water looking towards Granville Island. Is this placemaking?

I'm based in DC and always down to chat about this field -- you can also message me on Twitter @stephanieetxe.

Nashville birthday trip // travel guide

When we were deciding on a birthday trip destination, Nashville was at the top of the list. I don't really know why (I had never heard the term 'NashVegas' and did not know the song Honky Tonk...Bodonkadonk until my sister educated me). Perhaps my Southwestern roots needed a little kick of country? Or I somehow sensed that Mas Tacos would satisfy my craving for Mexican food? All I really knew was that there would be good music, good food and good people, with a whole lot of country. There was great music, great food, amazing people, plenty of country and a lot of bridesmaids. 

01 STAY

One of my favorite things about traveling is experiencing life through someone else's perspective. While I love hotels, the easiest way to get the local vibe of a new city is to stay in someone's home. Finding an Airbnb is the next best thing to crashing on a friends couch! We found this AMAZING airstream on Airbnb that our host fixed up with his dad; they also made this little outdoor bathhouse. There was also an outdoor shower hammock, and classic radio playing classical music. My sister and I grew up sharing a room, so sharing an airstream was no big deal. It was so cozy--I wish we could've brought our cat. 

02 EAT

There is SO much good food in Nashville. We had a list (mostly breakfast... I don't know why, my sister got recommendations from a friend who I can only assume loves brunch), but we also got recommendations every where we went! The residents of Nashville were super friendly and eager to share their favorite spots. We felt like insiders by day two--a table at Rolf & Daughters--easy! 

The weirdest thing was how many places had lines. I hate lines...and I'm not a huge fan of tourists...so if you are the same I would skip biscuit love and pancake pantry and just ask anyone, anywhere for their favorite breakfast spot. They were totally worth the wait, but there will probably always be a wait. OR do what we did and split up (so one part of the group can wait for coffee somewhere else while the rest wait for the table). Might as well both wait in line for deliciousness. Rolf & Daughters was my favorite meal...and not just because it was my birthday AND the bartenders.

Pancake Pantry // Hillsboro -- Great, but definitely over hyped. 

Biscuit Love // The Gulch -- Worth. The. Wait. Also - they have bloody marys. 

5 Points Pizza // East End -- they have chicken scratch! 

Mas Tacos // Greenwood -- Go on a weekday. 

The Pharmacy // Greenwood -- Sit at the bar if it is too hot outside and make friends. They comped our drinks because we liked their 90s dance party. 

Taj //  Nolensville -- I don't really know how we ended up here...but from what I remember this was fantatic (this was post-boozy group cycling). 

Rolf & Daughters // Germantown -- AMAZING. AMAZING. AMAZING. Also, it's near City House and 5th and Taylor, so basically go to Germantown and find at table or seat a bar at one of these spots. 

Other recommendations I really wanted to try but we didn't get to: Husk, Little Octopus. 

Southwestern pancakes at Pancake Pantry

When we finally got inside Biscuit Parlor

Rolf & Daughters

03 DRINK

Ah, coffee. Our first day we learned about this secret(?) coffee club where you pay annually and can go anytime. I can't tell you what it is called because they didn't tell us. We were supposed to go on our last day but...well I was kind of hung over and it was my birthday. So we didn't. INSTEAD we went to Barista Parlor, which was down the street from our Airbnb and SO FANTASTIC. It's a really well designed space with great breakfast and drinks. And a huge collection of fancy chocolate for no apparent reason. And these little cut out men with letters (instead of getting a number to put on your table, you get one of these). And the best eavesdropping opportunities, especially if you want to feel hip and musical. 

And then the beer -- so much great local beer. Love love love. 

Barista Parlor // the one in East Nashville.

Holland House // Greenwood -- because, cocktails. 

Santa's Pub // South Nashville -- I'm a sucker for a good dive bar and for karaoke. This place combines both!

Rumours East // East End -- we stumbled upon a little backyard party - well not really but it felt like that! Loved it. 

Robert's Western World // Downtown -- this is about as NashVegas as I get.

The Valentine // Downtown -- go to the rooftop.

Fido Cafe // Hillsboro -- they really need to fix the line situation here--make one for to go coffee and one for breakfast. I have no idea why people wait in this line. Their drinks are interesting, but it ain't no Philz. 

Turnip Truck // The Gulch -- grocery store that has a great selection of beer. 

And the beer you must try:

Little Harpeth's Chicken Scratch - it's like beer with an aftertaste of creamed corn. Which sounds disgusting but is so lovely (if you are like me and are obsessed with cornbread).

Tennessee Brew Works' Southern Wit - just so good.

New Heights' Berry Cream Ale  - I can't really find this...so maybe it was something else?

Other spots to try: Patterson House, Bar Luca, Old Glory, Bar Sovereign, Crazy Town, Acme. 

JUST SAY NO TO FIREBALL. That is my best advice. One local said 'Avoid Broadway like the plague'...but I think you can handle it for one night. 

Barista Parlor

Santa's pub has $2 PBR, as all dive bars should

Turnip Truck

Cocktails at Holland House

Tomato smash at Rumours East

Fido's Cafe

04 LISTEN

Have you seen the Nashville episode of Sonic Highways? If not, go watch it right now. And then make your list of where to stop in Nashville. I loved Bluebird Cafe (even though, we didn't actually get inside...) and wish we had time to see more shows at smaller venues like The Basement East. But really -- there's music in every honky tonk on Broadway downtown and amazing venues all over town. Just buy tickets ahead of time so you make sure you have them! I'm a small, stumble upon kind of person...so you do you.

05 SHOP

I was most surprised about the shopping! Skip Hillsboro and go straight to 12th street where you can see the spectacle of Draper James and then throw down some cash at imogene + willie. Stop at Hatch Show Print when downtown for the print poster shop! And don't forget Two Son -- the newest edition to the shopping scene. Ask them what the space used to be ;) and look out for their sample sales. There are a bunch of cute places by Barista Parlor in East Nashville -- so just walk around there, too. We also stopped at Goodwill because you never know!

06 SEE

Bridesmaids. I'm serious -- we saw over a dozen bachelorette parties. You can tell because they are often all wearing the same shirt and either cut off shorts or leggings. 

Check out the gallery at Hatch Show Print for whatever show is up -- it's a nice little space and they curate excellent work. We saw the paper quilts by Jim Sherraden. 

And if you don't already have them on your must see list...add the classic sights such as The Parthenon, The Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry.  Did you watch the Nashville episode of Sonic Highways yet??

Hatch Show Print printshop 

Jim Sherraden at Hatch Show Print  

07 DO

Find all the murals. I'm not going to tell you where they are. 

The group bike riding thing and make friends with everyone else. Where you all get on the bike and then pretend you are pedaling down the street. It is more fun than it sounds. 

Wear your cowboy hats and a floral dress and don't ask why! 

Eat the meat. (we didn't put bbq on here but there is a ton of bbq and yes you should try the hot chicken) 

Go to the Tomato Festival even if you think -- wait what? Tomato art? 

Santa's Pub for karaoke because it is SO worth it. Unless you don't like dive bars or karaoke...in which case you SHOULD do some shots of fireball and then read this again. 

TALK TO EVERYONE. Like, strangers, bartenders, airbnb hosts, pedal tavern guides. They will help you navigate this really interesting and evolving place. They might hate it, they might love it, but they will help you!

Too funny.  

Our entire pedal tavern crew kept the party going at The Valentine. 

A mural. 

Tomato festival. 

Place branding. I have a lot of opinions about this...for another post. Right now I'm on the love team.

Ok, now it's time to go back to singing this song that's stuck in my head. Thank you Grandpa, for planting the seeds---I'm pretty sure you used to play this song, a lot. Maybe this is why I wanted to go to Nashville, Tennessee?

All my ex's live in Texas
And Texas is the place I'd dearly love to be
But all my ex's live in Texas
And that's why I hang my hat in Tennessee  

-George Straight

Special thanks to J. Wes our Airbnb host and to all the lovely people that gave us tips! And the uber and lyft drivers that drove us everywhere!

Creating / Conversations 01 at Matine Studio

This week I attended the first Creating / Conversations at Matine's studio in Capitol Hill. There were about ten of us gathered along with Carolyn Misterek of Matine and Torie Partridge of Cherry Blossom Creative. We talked about being 'creatives', how to encourage creativity in all industries (even though it's hard), and multi-tasking...or rather why it's important to focus and be present. 

That's a wrap on our first #creatingconversations event! Thanks to all the talented creative ladies who shared their morning with us and were so willing to open up and exchange ideas with one another. Thanks to @cherryblossomhq for joining me on the couch and @fromthefarmer for providing such a tasty breakfast. Stay tuned to join us for Conversation 02! 📷 @betsyputnam #ACreativeDC

A photo posted by M A T I N E (@matinestudio) on Aug 3, 2016 at 7:34am PDT

The space itself is inspiring -- Carolyn has a dream studio with exposed brick, a skylight, custom industrial sliding door, perfectly placed samples and a minimal palette of leather scraps and threads, all perfectly organized. It's easy to get intimidated by the sheer simplicity of the space and hard to imagine that any sort of mess or anxiety could ever manifest in it. Carolyn started these talks as a way to share the space, and, I think, to give a little behind-the-scenes look into the mess that is real and normal for any creative entrepreneur. 

"...personal liberation through work" -- Torie Partridge

Torie shared her own journey and inspired us all with her candor and personal motivation. She decided to do something and then did it. That's not to say the road wasn't windy and she didn't have doubts, but her commitment to living a creative life and making a living doing it propelled her to actually make it happen.  

We drank delicious iced coffee (supplied by From the Farmer), ate yogurt and fruit and shared our own struggles, successes, life hacks. It was nice to be around like-minded folk -- feel a little more normal and a little less crazy -- and also to talk about how we can't just stay around people like us, we have to go out and help others find their own path and passion. 

A lovely space with lovely people and lovely conversation. I can't wait until the next one!

xx, Stephanie

July update

My new(ish) job is amazing - I work in Placemaking and get to spend my time meeting with people who inspire me, observing, helping to grow community and testing new projects. I also have been busy with cocktails+craft-we had two workshops earlier this month and have one coming up in August.

I'm trying to focus more on making art (weaving and watercolor now), reading/learning, and growing cocktails+craft, outside of my day job. So, my posts might be a little erratic, but I do intend to post as it helps me reflect on all the things I'm working on and stay focused. 

Figuring out my new weaving project  

Getting back into watercolor. Forcing myself to not be so critical of my work. It takes practice!

Our next workshop! Sign up here. 

xx, Stephanie