by Maria Wherley
Check out these incredible mobile tours that will be featured at our 2019 Conference in Erie, June 2-5.
Looking Glass Art Project
Come to Erie on Sunday, June 2 in time to join the Looking Glass Art Project mobile tour that exemplifies a collaborative community public art program created by artists Tom Ferraro and Ed Grout. Through story telling they collectively transform information into public art projects while providing enrichment through the process.
Edward Grout and Tom Ferraro who, after a lifetime of creating their own vast bodies of work, joined forces in 2012 realizing what public art can do for a community. Their goal was to democratize the creative process by giving the reigns to the populations that would ultimately be the most exposed to their pieces. They wanted the finished artwork to be a reflection of the region and for people to see themselves in what they created together as a community.
From their first residency, LifeWorks Erie, an educational and health service of the LECOM Institute for Successful Aging, participants were interviewed then created artwork reflecting on the transformation of technology in their lifetimes. Their most recent endeavor “I am; I will be….Erie’s Future”, with Erie Downtown Partnership—included over 75 refugees from the International Institute of Erie and over 225 English as Second Language Students at Erie High School—participants examined the stories of their lives. They shared not only the history and culture of their homelands, but also the perils and atrocities of events that led to their flight to the United States and ultimately to Erie, Pa.
These stories and the many others told through this program are quite moving. Along with the stories, the art will captivate you.
How Libraries Support Innovation and Creativity
The Idea Lab in the Blasco Memorial Library is the place to develop ideas, learn design skills, and spark entrepreneurial spirit. The Idea Lab is a hands-on collaborative space ready to be explored — a place to get connected with community experts and have access to a curated collection of business and maker resources.
Jude Shingle, the Idea Lab’s Emerging Technology Librarian, will lead this walking tour where conference goers can see these Lab features:
Idea Lab Makerspace: Design, create, and build using shared equipment including 3D printers, sewing machines, vinyl cutter, design software, and more.
Media Lab: Record music, video, podcasts, and more in the digital media lab.
Community Classroom and Collaboratory spaces
Job & Career Resources and Support: With access to a curated collection of job and career resources and a place to meet with community partners for help with navigating a career path.
Urban Neighborhoods Garden Tour
Neighborhood organizations and entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity that lies in Erie’s blighted or vacant lots. While touring, learn how these groups have reused areas and turned them into thriving green space, gardens, urban farms and markets.
Our West Bayfront and Bayfront East Side Task Force (BEST) - community gardens and revitalization efforts
For profit urban farm French Street Farms, overview of reuse of vacant lots tying in with city’s revitalization plan and entrepreneur’s strategy and success, Owner/Operator Carrie Sachse
SSJ Neighborhood Network’s community gardens with a focus on Urban Farm Project (social enterprise program with neighborhood teens) and Little Italy Farmers Market
Lawrence Park Historic District
After prior applications for historic designation failed, in 2018 the Lawrence Park Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This was funded, in part, through a Keystone Historic Preservation Planning Grant the PA State Historic Preservation Office (PASHPO) and a grant from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.
Melinda Meyer, a public historian, and Bill Callahan, the western PA community preservation coordinator for PASHPO, will guide this tour and share not only the history of Lawrence Park but the story behind the company that went out of its way to build a really nice community and create good lives for its employees.