Method

I created 16 works of urban

sketch art, and recruited 4 other
artists to contribute 20 more
pieces to the gallery
The urban sketches were used to
stimulate memories about live
Project Statement: Seattle is in the midst of a population boom, which events and people that were
has the potential to take a toll on the fabric of its communities. Population
density and city size lends itself to a transient and impersonal social meaningful to the 52 participants
landscape that could take a psychological toll on urban residents (Wirth,
1938). This project brings together environmental psychology and art in an
interactive gallery event meant to mitigate the consequences of a Participants were able to
burgeoning city. This interactive gallery event, titled, “Your Where”,
blended urban sketching, place-based reflection and improv goal of share 150+ reflections on
understanding our individual and collective relationship to place. prompt cards provided
Additionally, this project also aimed to fortify the relationship between
people, the places they live, and their communities.
Selected prompt cards were
then used to inform an hour-
long improv comedy
performance

Conclusion: 52 people attended willing to bring to the table, which

the event, 152 reflection responses added to the richness of the
were generated, and we were able experience. Because of participant’s
to put on an hour long willingness to contribute, a real
performance. The energy in the sense of community was built
theater was palpable; I was around the places represented in
surprised at the level of depth and the art. Below are some sample
vulnerability that people were responses that were shared at the
event. Greenlake Homes, by Robin Hunt Greenlake Lakeside, by Robin Hunt

Summary: Psychologically and socially, the city has a negative

impact on its inhabitants, but this event painted a new picture.
The lenses through which place was examined– from the artists’,
the participants’, and the performers’ perspectives– created a
kaleidoscopic image of the city when intersected. By honoring
each individual connection to place through art reflection and
performance, Your Where was able to remind people of their
appreciation for the places and people that constitute their
identities. Beyond this, I was able to develop my skills as an artist
and an event planner; I was honored that my skills could help heal
in such a meaningful way.

“I felt a sense of being inspired by being asked to reflect on and share what
came to me at viewing the art work - but then to see some of the responses
being acted out by the Improv troupe seemed to have the effect of my feeling
Participants talking and sharing during the gallery portion of the event even closer to everyone in attendance and even closer to the art work”.-
participant

Works Cited
Wirth, Louis. “Urbanism as a Way of Life”. The American Journal of Sociology, The University of Chicago Press, Vol. 44, No. 1 (1938), p. 1-24. Robin Hunt