Watch the video of our conversation
Making-Visible: Gentrification with David Sampé
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Our next conversation will be on June 28, 7 - 8pm EDT - and we are thrilled that David Sampé has agreed to return to Making-Visible as our speaker, this time focusing on gentrification. (David last joined us as the speaker of our second conversation of the Anti-Black Racism series.) This upcoming topic is a continuation of our last series on uneven development in Black and Brown communities.
David will share with us his experiences and insights on “Gentrified Wood” - how wood from gentrifiers' home improvement projects is transformed into stunning works of art. We will explore the process of creating these artworks and discuss how they contribute to beautifying the community.
David shares:
“ 'Gentrified Wood' not only revitalizes discarded materials but also empowers young individuals and challenges the negative stereotypes associated with them, proving that art and youth employment can combat gentrification while promoting social justice.”
This is done through a program called Article 730, a transformative organization founded by David that aims to address mental health concerns by going beyond traditional approaches. They embody hope, healing, and creativity, recognizing the interconnectedness of these elements in fostering well-being.
Article 730 goes beyond mental health advocacy. Serving as a beacon of hope, healing, and creativity, they embark on a unique mission through their groundbreaking initiative, "Gentrified Wood." By repurposing discarded wood from gentrifiers' home improvement projects, they create captivating works of art that enrich and beautify the community.
Through the inclusion of historical backstories and fostering relationships, their woodwork projects become a powerful narrative of resilience, community building, and social change. Moreover, they empower inner-city youth by teaching them the therapeutic aspects of woodworking and incorporating mindfulness techniques like breath work during wood sanding. This movement not only revitalizes discarded materials but also empowers young individuals and challenges the negative stereotypes associated with them, proving that art and youth employment can combat gentrification while promoting social justice.
In this webinar David will take us through the following:
Delve into the innovative project undertaken by Article 730, where discarded wood from gentrifiers' home improvement projects is transformed into stunning works of art. We will explore the process of creating these artworks and discuss how they contribute to beautifying the community.
Stories of History, Relationship Building, and Community: The woodwork produced by Article 730 not only showcases artistic creativity but also tells compelling stories. We will explore the backstories behind the sourced wood, highlighting its historical significance and the relationships built through its acquisition. This aspect emphasizes the power of art as a medium for fostering connections within communities.
Empowering Inner-City Youth and Promoting Social Justice: Article 730 goes beyond creating art; it aims to empower youth and combat gentrification. We will discuss how the organization teaches the healing power of woodwork to inner-city youth and incorporates mindfulness techniques like breath work during the process. By providing employment opportunities and challenging negative stereotypes, Article 730 sets an example of using art to promote social justice and positive community impact.
David is currently working on a video and article that dives deeper into Article 730’s work. We will share them once they become available. In the meantime you can learn more about David’s work here.
Closed captioning thanks to Don Rombach.