This was an incredible project for the neighborhood of Ivy City in Washington D.C. that I had the fortune to participate in. This part of the city is currently experiencing a wave of gentrification and a significant part of the community's long-time residents are being displaced. One goal of this project was to bring together local artists, community members, and local organizations to build community, organize the residents, and create awareness of local issues.

Different parties worked together to create powerful art for the community. I participated as part of the Sanctuaries Screenprinting team, designing the lawn signs and photographing some of the community members in the first stage of the project. I also supported the project through the design of the letters and the collage with all the images.

These images were then screen printed onto wood boards, cut and assembled as a three-dimensional letters forming the words "Ivy City".

I'm really grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this project which was possible because of the collaboration of multiple people and the participation of the great community of Ivy City.

The organizations and people who were part of this project include:
#TheRealIvyCity, BCWorkshop, The Sanctuaries, Empower DC, Open Studio DC, and the amazing Ivy City Community.

Pictures used in this project were taken by:
Erik Martinez, Khristian Ifill, Lotanna Obodozie and Nando Álvarez. Empower DC provided some images from their archives as well.