MLK / Good Hope Public Art Survey

Art by committee often ends up being kinda watered down. But, since they're asking for community input, take a minute to give your thoughts on what might be done at the corner of MLK and Good Hope where the empty lot is now.



As I've mentioned before [see this blog post], I'd like to see a chalkboard of some sort asking the community a question. For example, something as simple as "If you owned this lot, what would you put here?" or "Love letters to Anacostia" then just paint lines for people to write their responses on. I can almost guarantee that that would be more interesting than another mural or artistic fence.

But, since I'm not the one deciding, check out this presentation on some potential ideas for the site:
1201-1203 Good Hope Rd Public Art

Then take this survey asking what Anacostia means to you and what you would like to see at the site. If you like the chalkboard idea, make sure to support it! :)

Reminder: this is a temporary installation. Do we really want to waste city money on something elaborate? The end goal here is to develop the site.

Inspiration: Corner of MLK & Good Hope

This is what I want to see at the newly-empty lot at the corner of MLK and Good Hope. Here are some great examples from around the country:


in Fairbanks, Alaska -- what a cool way to get community input! Photo from this great Fast Company article.


I mean, you can't go wrong. Found this while traveling through Boulder, Colorado.


This is in New Orleans, by Candy Chang, the same artist as the Alaska one. Love it.


How perfectly would this fit in Anacostia? See more details here.

What do you think? Wouldn't this be 100% perfect for the empty lot at the corner of MLK and Good Hope? Set up a couple chalkboards, paint a question or two... would probably cost about 300 bucks. Who's in?

The Future of MLK & Good Hope?

Yes, please. These renderings were produced for the Department of Housing and Community Development (owners of the corner properties at the left of the images below) by UrbanAdvantage through a Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 stimulus grant with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition and HUD.

Click images to Enlarge







Whaddya think? Is this a future you'd like to see?