This spring and summer, one of our community hubs, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady, hosted a series of three art workshops at the Craig Street Clubhouse in Hamilton Hill called “Brighten the Corner Where You Are Through Breathing Lights.” At each session, one of two local artists (including Nancy Bowman, left) helped residents and special guests, young and old, explore a particular style of art. Before each session, the artists explained Breathing Lights and showed the video of the project. They then asked participants to consider two questions before creating any art.
What does a community that cares about it residents look like?
What does it feel like to live in a community with abandoned homes?
When they completed their projects, participants were encouraged to explain their pieces to the rest of the group, their fellow neighbors and new acquaintances. These discussions led to conversations about the neighborhood’s strengths and challenges and more ways to be involved in its improvement. The resulting artworks were unique and expressive, and will be on display at the hub’s Breathing Lights Community Party on Friday, October 28th.