https://stepuptoartlab.org Step Up To Art Tue, 24 May 2022 17:01:32 +0000 https://stepuptoartlab.org en https://stepuptoartlab.org/Home Tue, 05 Apr 2022 17:53:49 +0000 Step Up To Art https://stepuptoartlab.org/Home .with-shadow { text-shadow: 1px 2px 1px black;} .image-gallery {background: #b4bfbd; width: 70%; margin: auto; padding-top: 30px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom 4px; } .gallery_image_caption {color: black;} #home-page-subheading {font-size: 26px} #INFOvid { display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; background: black; border-style: solid; border-width: 5px; } <img width="295" height="575" width_o="295" height_o="575" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2c8e35506a92d1c8aafad414265b43f8e790ce1bba46d6df0f45f4a27df780f7/SUTA-LOGO.png" data-mid="138896062" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/295/i/2c8e35506a92d1c8aafad414265b43f8e790ce1bba46d6df0f45f4a27df780f7/SUTA-LOGO.png" /> <img width="1512" height="2016" width_o="1512" height_o="2016" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/edc3a8a1117b872c9005e56a2cfb88fcaf627a46539e0db7721ee11871a7f011/After-May-16--2025.jpg" data-mid="238268840" border="0" data-scale="100" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/edc3a8a1117b872c9005e56a2cfb88fcaf627a46539e0db7721ee11871a7f011/After-May-16--2025.jpg" /><img width="2495" height="3555" width_o="2495" height_o="3555" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d36b6e408b9b1494b3e82bb78fafcea3ae8f35b765d6e64835e3f23ca791c22e/SUTA-Ribbon.jpg" data-mid="238272077" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d36b6e408b9b1494b3e82bb78fafcea3ae8f35b765d6e64835e3f23ca791c22e/SUTA-Ribbon.jpg" /> Art and Signage on Cincinnati’s Public Stairways to Improve Public Health and Neighborhood Connection. <img width="1512" height="2016" width_o="1512" height_o="2016" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5903e9bde3564bfc7f7d0f29b3a74ac2863988eb62c778e85e46b839d5bb132e/May-16--2025.jpg" data-mid="238272047" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5903e9bde3564bfc7f7d0f29b3a74ac2863988eb62c778e85e46b839d5bb132e/May-16--2025.jpg" /><img width="4032" height="3024" width_o="4032" height_o="3024" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7a3445fa3bd328ed204ace89c4c1a6db2b9092ec5dbeef12ab1078c2df24e581/IMG_6427-copy.jpg" data-mid="238272095" border="0" data-scale="63" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7a3445fa3bd328ed204ace89c4c1a6db2b9092ec5dbeef12ab1078c2df24e581/IMG_6427-copy.jpg" />&nbsp;<img width="828" height="1104" width_o="828" height_o="1104" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/07b7e6d4c9a77c1a849ff7667772e6879b15d0c12423ede89921813d67d9c0a2/1699076017299.jpeg" data-mid="238272089" border="0" data-scale="35" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/828/i/07b7e6d4c9a77c1a849ff7667772e6879b15d0c12423ede89921813d67d9c0a2/1699076017299.jpeg" />&nbsp;<img width="2950" height="2432" width_o="2950" height_o="2432" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8e3c80ada368ddb70c67e98b90e036c0666f62bb107e62326deb1a22f60a1aab/IMG_6383.jpg" data-mid="238272137" border="0" data-scale="96" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8e3c80ada368ddb70c67e98b90e036c0666f62bb107e62326deb1a22f60a1aab/IMG_6383.jpg" /> Problem Statement + Overarching Vision Cincinnati is a city of distinct neighborhoods, many of which retain strong boundaries in part due to the topography of hills. Neighborhoods in and of themselves are often walkable, but rarely do pedestrians traverse between them. Over 400 stairways were constructed during the late 19th century to address this problem and to connect the city’s neighborhoods and their parks. Today, however, many of these stairways lie in disuse and disrepair due to perceptions that they attract crime, and to driving as habit. This results in segregation and in missed opportunities to improve and maintain physical health and a more socially connected and equitable city through walking. Transformation of Cincinnati’spedestrian transportation system is our goal. <img width="800" height="600" width_o="800" height_o="600" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/42298ae60ac38a40bc46aecf7c4fea8812cf5bb90b0088f02715f33693aa4b2a/IMG_3575.jpeg" data-mid="143004740" border="0" data-scale="82" alt="Receiving the Golden Paintbrush Award from Keep Cincinnati Beautiful" data-caption="Receiving the Golden Paintbrush Award from Keep Cincinnati Beautiful" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/800/i/42298ae60ac38a40bc46aecf7c4fea8812cf5bb90b0088f02715f33693aa4b2a/IMG_3575.jpeg" /> <img width="4032" height="3024" width_o="4032" height_o="3024" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/81ad876fe7a32f8a28c25a69eb10dc5e32e2eb72f0f516fb7b6b693264adfeb9/Community-Listening-Session.jpeg" data-mid="143406304" border="0" alt="Community input session" data-caption="Community input session" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/81ad876fe7a32f8a28c25a69eb10dc5e32e2eb72f0f516fb7b6b693264adfeb9/Community-Listening-Session.jpeg" /> <img width="645" height="484" width_o="645" height_o="484" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/eb4d652fa8c8e968a059a86d5c18236f34b95e7540284703deaf48fc46aff880/IMG_2339-3X4.jpg" data-mid="146604120" border="0" alt="Priming the steps before painting" data-caption="Priming the steps before painting" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/645/i/eb4d652fa8c8e968a059a86d5c18236f34b95e7540284703deaf48fc46aff880/IMG_2339-3X4.jpg" /> <img width="960" height="720" width_o="960" height_o="720" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/433be154a81d2fdf6407663ab5ab32ffdd402c3a77bd3425f4509fe7bf2c980d/Steps-Cleanup-4x3.jpg" data-mid="143407172" border="0" alt="Cleaning the steps and removing overgrowth" data-caption="Cleaning the steps and removing overgrowth" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/433be154a81d2fdf6407663ab5ab32ffdd402c3a77bd3425f4509fe7bf2c980d/Steps-Cleanup-4x3.jpg" /> <img width="942" height="793" width_o="942" height_o="793" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/aed398f4e2e1fdfaa7003ae537485a37301eb30b7bac57b6d39a9f351525e241/Screenshot-2025-09-16-at-2.20.34AM.png" data-mid="238272040" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/942/i/aed398f4e2e1fdfaa7003ae537485a37301eb30b7bac57b6d39a9f351525e241/Screenshot-2025-09-16-at-2.20.34AM.png" /> <img width="645" height="484" width_o="645" height_o="484" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fb197ae19b29f90aeb2c8867149925993f53194e26acb6f529823ba5b22c9943/Painting-24-Dai-4X3.jpg" data-mid="146604247" border="0" alt="Painting the Upper Ohio Avenue Steps" data-caption="Painting the Upper Ohio Avenue Steps" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/645/i/fb197ae19b29f90aeb2c8867149925993f53194e26acb6f529823ba5b22c9943/Painting-24-Dai-4X3.jpg" /> <img width="2892" height="2169" width_o="2892" height_o="2169" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d0996af559d4ccaa9f8ba19b6d52936b1796770178cad28623ba1ab5a67d2157/Autumn-Stairs-Crop-4x3.jpg" data-mid="143407351" border="0" alt="Top of the steps in autumn" data-caption="Top of the steps in autumn" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d0996af559d4ccaa9f8ba19b6d52936b1796770178cad28623ba1ab5a67d2157/Autumn-Stairs-Crop-4x3.jpg" /> Pilot Project + Solution to Problem Step Up to Art is harnessing community input and involvement in the creation of public art on the Ohio Avenue Steps between the neighborhoods of Mount Auburn and Clifton Heights. Over the course of two focus groups, residents of both neighborhoods (1) expressed how the stairs could be improved and (2) selected an artistic team from four options who they believed would best represent their vision for the stairway. Step Up to Art is also creating and implementing signage on the Ohio Avenue Steps that will convey information about the artists’ history and the artwork itself. This public space, reimagined through art, will promote neighborhood identity. It will also encourage walking and physical activity, which will improve public health. We hope the Ohio Avenue Steps will serve as a pilot project for the improvement of other stairways that are part of the city’s pedestrian transportation network, and that the implementation of art on these stairs will enhance Cincinnati’s existing outdoor museum of murals. This will increase connectivity between neighborhoods of various socio-economic demographics, and create new public spaces, which, in turn, will help us to shape a more integrated and equitable future for our city. &nbsp; https://stepuptoartlab.org/Team Tue, 05 Apr 2022 17:53:49 +0000 Step Up To Art https://stepuptoartlab.org/Team .frame {float: left; margin-right: 10px; } .descriptor {color: #000; font-size: 14px; font-family: "Favorit Variable", Icons; } img {border: px solid; } Action Team <img width="173" height="231" width_o="173" height_o="231" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bfe66bb37c4ed8925c92f48cf2893fd17f14e0e8bb57173c5800a8e23f203317/0497BonansingaKathryn0477.jpg" data-mid="144511149" border="0" data-scale="12" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/173/i/bfe66bb37c4ed8925c92f48cf2893fd17f14e0e8bb57173c5800a8e23f203317/0497BonansingaKathryn0477.jpg" /> Kate Bonansinga Professor + Director, School of Art, College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) kate.bonansinga@uc.edu, X6-5132 <img width="194" height="259" width_o="194" height_o="259" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ae0c9e6299a443c6d8899e24ac92c5468877d481eb34521ed3b9388cf2ec8dcc/0763MehtaVikas2529.jpg" data-mid="144511150" border="0" data-scale="12" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/194/i/ae0c9e6299a443c6d8899e24ac92c5468877d481eb34521ed3b9388cf2ec8dcc/0763MehtaVikas2529.jpg" /> Vikas Mehta, PhD Professor, School of Planning, College of DAAP vikas.mehta@uc.edu <img width="180" height="240" width_o="180" height_o="240" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c5c1f8e908899786f3f9ab3b708feaf7c97e9b6843e2392295ae6b6d5fef5bff/1363NolanRachael9655.jpg" data-mid="144656481" border="0" data-scale="12" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/180/i/c5c1f8e908899786f3f9ab3b708feaf7c97e9b6843e2392295ae6b6d5fef5bff/1363NolanRachael9655.jpg" /> Rachel Nolan, PhD Assistant Professor, College of Medicine rachel.nolan@uc.edu <img width="164" height="219" width_o="164" height_o="219" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d02a2f47cbec5712dcc2eb436e5bd94aaeb3fef0044f83f599e54a323589bb9c/Muhammad-Rahman.jpg" data-mid="144656376" border="0" data-scale="12" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/164/i/d02a2f47cbec5712dcc2eb436e5bd94aaeb3fef0044f83f599e54a323589bb9c/Muhammad-Rahman.jpg" /> Muhammad Rahman Assistant Professor, &nbsp;School of Design, College of DAAP rahmanmd@ucmail.uc.edu <img width="173" height="231" width_o="173" height_o="231" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6de042b3a451646bf9d9de65d3f3dab88c8304d32962713df6bf705d4d1798ea/0201UstickJennifer1256.jpg" data-mid="144511718" border="0" data-scale="12" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/173/i/6de042b3a451646bf9d9de65d3f3dab88c8304d32962713df6bf705d4d1798ea/0201UstickJennifer1256.jpg" /> Jenny Ustick Associate Professor, School of Art, College of DAAP jenny.ustick@uc.edu Community Partner: <img width="960" height="1280" width_o="960" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d625c0b5bc9c2db126cc5a968b419134495381cda2cd764ce3b2d608dc372583/Christian-Huelsman.jpg" data-mid="144655256" border="0" data-scale="12" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/d625c0b5bc9c2db126cc5a968b419134495381cda2cd764ce3b2d608dc372583/Christian-Huelsman.jpg" /> Christian Huelsman Executive Director, Spring in Our Steps, Cincinnati springinoursteps@gmail.com Graduate Research Assistant: <img width="245" height="334" width_o="245" height_o="334" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f10b6ee54f91e3d836070ba3fb0ae42f91f5a3c82b0e34e38c7e43fd7c7bef95/Nate-Delong.jpg" data-mid="145182258" border="0" data-scale="12" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/245/i/f10b6ee54f91e3d836070ba3fb0ae42f91f5a3c82b0e34e38c7e43fd7c7bef95/Nate-Delong.jpg" /> Nathan DeLong Master of Landscape Architecture, College of DAAP (College of DAAP and UC Graduate School Assistantship) https://stepuptoartlab.org/1-Public-Art-Section-1 Tue, 24 May 2022 16:54:30 +0000 Step Up To Art https://stepuptoartlab.org/1-Public-Art-Section-1 Public Art: How can art transform a public stairway to increase its attractiveness and usage? The Artists and their Work: <img width="960" height="1117" width_o="960" height_o="1117" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a700b2a3bdad462164b49e54bac38267b58eca402d559da34fc2cbed871a4549/SUTA-artists-Williams-Duquette-Picture.jpg" data-mid="143530902" border="0" data-scale="85" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/960/i/a700b2a3bdad462164b49e54bac38267b58eca402d559da34fc2cbed871a4549/SUTA-artists-Williams-Duquette-Picture.jpg" /> About the Artists ︎︎︎ Lizzy Duquette (left) is a DAAP graduate with a concentration in drawing and printmaking who has worked with ArtWorks Cincinnati, Price Hill Creative Community Festival, Cincinnati Museum Center, and Visionaries + Voices, and designs and fabricates theater scenery for Queen City Opera. Dai Williams (right) is an illustrator, printer, muralist and teaching artist from and living in Cincinnati. They use their experience from attending the Art Academy of Cincinnati, collaboration with Artworks and work in the printing and design industry, to create art that connects with the world through their alter ego S0FT GH0ST. Expressed through color theory, minimal line, patterns, abstraction and storytelling, the SOFT GHOST UNIVERSE has transformed from a reflection of their experiences seeking safe spaces and inclusiveness to now creating those spaces for themselves and others. Bringing new possibilities for youth to learn about world-building, community-finding and self-discovery. Ghost Garden ︎︎︎ Ghost Garden is our first stairway mural project, installed on the Upper Ohio Avenue Steps,&nbsp; and represents a blending between the artistic styles of Dai Williams and Lizzie Duquette. The process began by priming the steps, then the artists traced the outlines of their ideas in chalk. These figures were filled in with paint, and then graduated and adapted to create effects of overlapping, transparency, and interweaving <img width="874" height="874" width_o="874" height_o="874" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bafdba02c5a4107e64f8bbfc8cd8ad6aa656d6cb74f023431b6ad9d9adf7ce9b/Ghost-Garden-Sketch-Crop-Square.jpg" data-mid="146156402" border="0" alt="Artists' original design" data-caption="Artists' original design" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/874/i/bafdba02c5a4107e64f8bbfc8cd8ad6aa656d6cb74f023431b6ad9d9adf7ce9b/Ghost-Garden-Sketch-Crop-Square.jpg" /> <img width="860" height="860" width_o="860" height_o="860" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2e1ae6108db1324490ca1efcfb2587ecfa59625c90c8bd804f69c91a5494c0d2/Dai-Mixing-Paint-2-Crop-Square.jpg" data-mid="146156400" border="0" data-scale="74" alt="Mixing paint" data-caption="Mixing paint" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/860/i/2e1ae6108db1324490ca1efcfb2587ecfa59625c90c8bd804f69c91a5494c0d2/Dai-Mixing-Paint-2-Crop-Square.jpg" /> <img width="645" height="645" width_o="645" height_o="645" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bc734cffed8adc723b0a6b4be24d5b9204195c4af1f4b80fc03e2511e4982a40/Painting-4-Lizzie-Crop-Square.jpg" data-mid="146156401" border="0" data-scale="59" alt="Beginning to paint the plant forms" data-caption="Beginning to paint the plant forms" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/645/i/bc734cffed8adc723b0a6b4be24d5b9204195c4af1f4b80fc03e2511e4982a40/Painting-4-Lizzie-Crop-Square.jpg" /> <img width="645" height="645" width_o="645" height_o="645" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a9e950df6dc1eb95151190d783b3ec0fd39d347e07bf1e7bc8a61214ef8f3a51/Painting-11-Crop-Square.jpg" data-mid="146156399" border="0" alt="The Ohio Avenue Steps in progress" data-caption="The Ohio Avenue Steps in progress" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/645/i/a9e950df6dc1eb95151190d783b3ec0fd39d347e07bf1e7bc8a61214ef8f3a51/Painting-11-Crop-Square.jpg" /> <img width="645" height="645" width_o="645" height_o="645" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fc71ab8e8ad3aff36b12a324072a1b80243dd3ea59561c1824e399289e493fed/Cat-Painted-in-the-Alcove-Square.jpg" data-mid="147118895" border="0" alt="Painting at the Top of the Steps" data-caption="Painting at the Top of the Steps" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/645/i/fc71ab8e8ad3aff36b12a324072a1b80243dd3ea59561c1824e399289e493fed/Cat-Painted-in-the-Alcove-Square.jpg" /> https://stepuptoartlab.org/Public-Art-Section-1-5 Tue, 24 May 2022 16:54:19 +0000 Step Up To Art https://stepuptoartlab.org/Public-Art-Section-1-5 https://stepuptoartlab.org/Public-Art-Section-2 Tue, 24 May 2022 17:01:32 +0000 Step Up To Art https://stepuptoartlab.org/Public-Art-Section-2 Inspiration and Precedents Pittsburgh, PA ︎︎︎ The city of Pittsburgh has the more public stairways than any other city in the United States and uses a specific methodology to rate the usefulness of public stairs to their community on a scale of 1-10 based on nearby schools, transit stops, distance to amenities, and neighborhood car ownership, and prioritize maintenance accordingly. In 2015, the South Side Slopes neighborhood coordinated with Laura Jean McLaughlin to create a mosaic on a neighborhood stairway, and as part of the 2016-2019 homecoming project, Njaimeh Njie created a mural on the steps of the Kaufman Auditorium. In 2019, a series called The Steps We Take featured a temporary event series on public stairs in four neighborhoods to celebrate their central role in these communities. <img width="1536" height="1000" width_o="1536" height_o="1000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/499e4ea0a2fbeb60e48e4369538b41ab4a584af15086a87eaa8248f4540fde39/Kaufmann-Auditorium-Pittsburgh.jpg" data-mid="143531710" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/499e4ea0a2fbeb60e48e4369538b41ab4a584af15086a87eaa8248f4540fde39/Kaufmann-Auditorium-Pittsburgh.jpg" /> Njaimeh Njie via https://opapgh.org/ <img width="1454" height="969" width_o="1454" height_o="969" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4c91f0b89d223d9f99797fb16bb293799a3252faff94ac341c85a71001d48293/Arts-Corridor-App-State-crop.jpg" data-mid="143531712" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4c91f0b89d223d9f99797fb16bb293799a3252faff94ac341c85a71001d48293/Arts-Corridor-App-State-crop.jpg" /> Photo by Marie Freeman via https://www.appstate.edu/appalachians-future/building-physical-infrastructure/arts-corridor/ Boone, NC ︎︎︎ The concept of the Campus Arts Corridor at Appalachian State University arose as a means to connect two of the main university arts centers, the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts and the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, which are located on opposite sides of campus. In 2020, a vibrant mural, Transit Candy (named in a community-wide contest) was designed and painted on the grand staircase outside the main entrance of the Turchin Center by Baltimore based artists Jessie Unterhalter and Katey Truhn.&nbsp; The mural has provided a boost of joy to pedestrians traversing this link between campus and King Street, which is the main thoroughfare of downtown Boone. It has also served to brand the brick visual arts building to reflect the abundant creativity housed inside. The staircase has become a popular spot for personal and group photos, local advertisements, and social media. San Francisco, CA ︎︎︎ The 16th Street Steps grew out of a neighborhood initiative in Golden Gate Heights to beautify a well-traveled pedestrian path in their neighborhood. A tile mosaic with a theme of “Sea to Stars” was installed in 2005 by Aileen Barr and Collete Crutcher and the areas around the stairs were landscaped with succulents donated by the San Francisco Cactus and Succulent society. The project involved sponsorship from San Francisco Beautiful, Union Bank, and the neighborhood held three ceramic workshops so that community residents could volunteer to help create the mosaic panels for the stairs. Today the stairs have inspired other mosaic projects across the city, such as the Lincoln Park steps and Hidden Garden Steps. <img width="1400" height="962" width_o="1400" height_o="962" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c6e3b66ea376949055f7ace47ae8f23155ef58b2c4eb434adbf0332da22b9bf5/16th-Avenue-Steps-San-Francisco.jpeg" data-mid="143531708" border="0" alt="Photo by Jack Chen via https://thebolditalic.com/7-beautiful-mosaic-tiled-stairways-in-san-francisco-cf370cdbb627" data-caption="Photo by Jack Chen via https://thebolditalic.com/7-beautiful-mosaic-tiled-stairways-in-san-francisco-cf370cdbb627" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c6e3b66ea376949055f7ace47ae8f23155ef58b2c4eb434adbf0332da22b9bf5/16th-Avenue-Steps-San-Francisco.jpeg" />Photo by Jack Chen via https://thebolditalic.com/7-beautiful-mosaic-tiled-stairways-in-san-francisco-cf370cdbb627 <img width="640" height="426" width_o="640" height_o="426" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/eb3a0d5274b35a43923aa4b0587aaa4f06eafad73c9675be3523708e810de015/Caltagirone.jpg" data-mid="143531709" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/640/i/eb3a0d5274b35a43923aa4b0587aaa4f06eafad73c9675be3523708e810de015/Caltagirone.jpg" /> Photo by The man with the golden cam via https://www.flickr.com/photos/atopeconlatxabaleria/2425025787/sizes/z/in/photostream/ Caltagirone, Italy ︎︎︎ In 1956, the City of Caltagirone in Sicily installed majolica tiles on all 142 steps of the central stairway of their town, which tell a chronological story through the historical art styles of Sicily that redecorate the tiles. The stairs are lined by restaurants and shops, and leads to the Church of Santa Maria which sits at the top of the hill. The stairway is decorated with patterns of flowers in May for the festival of the Infiorata, and with lanterns in July for an event called “The Illuminated Staircase.” Beirut, Lebanon ︎︎︎ A team of artists that call themselves Dizhayners painted the Massad Stairs in the Mar Mikhael neighborhood of Beirut in 2012. The stairway connects two neighborhoods, is a popular spot for drinking coffee and socializing, and is a route of easy access to many buildings, including the St. George’s Hospital. In 2013, rumors arose that the government planned to demolish these stairs leading to protesting and sit-ins on the staircase, although the government denied these allegations. Over the course of a decade, many noticed that the stairs were not well maintained or cleaned, leading to a call for a joint project between GAIA-heritage, RAB Architects, and others to renovate the stairs. <img width="780" height="517" width_o="780" height_o="517" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/780fe67d2051f0c466af5b023f315888af2b7657c455673c17dbc44dbd87819c/Amani-Al-Charif-resize.jpg" data-mid="143531711" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/780/i/780fe67d2051f0c466af5b023f315888af2b7657c455673c17dbc44dbd87819c/Amani-Al-Charif-resize.jpg" /> Photo by Amani el Charif via https://www.lebanontraveler.com/en/magazine/beirut-colorful-stairs/ https://stepuptoartlab.org/2-Public-Space Tue, 05 Apr 2022 17:53:50 +0000 Step Up To Art https://stepuptoartlab.org/2-Public-Space .link {color: #2bb865} .link:hover {text-decoration: underline} Public Space: How can a public staircase transformed by art become a public space of neighborhood connection and identity? Background A public space is open to serve the needs of everyone in a community rather than just a few. Many people may not know that nearly the 400 stairways in Cincinnati are public spaces. We believe public spaces should be clean, attractive, and inviting. By installing art on public stairways, we work against the stereotype that they are inaccessible and dangerous. <img width="645" height="599" width_o="645" height_o="599" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dcd6f0f317754b3099c3b5db153e21a97d4865f92ce41e1b80469a69e0d18684/IMG_2161-2.jpg" data-mid="144697749" border="0" data-scale="50" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/645/i/dcd6f0f317754b3099c3b5db153e21a97d4865f92ce41e1b80469a69e0d18684/IMG_2161-2.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img width="645" height="860" width_o="645" height_o="860" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a6f8f0e86ec7cb0fa69eaf4bef0c04e14ae3bbf9bef0e2c441ef014aa161479f/Paintigng-26.jpg" data-mid="146386189" border="0" data-scale="35" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/645/i/a6f8f0e86ec7cb0fa69eaf4bef0c04e14ae3bbf9bef0e2c441ef014aa161479f/Paintigng-26.jpg" /> <img width="2551" height="3300" width_o="2551" height_o="3300" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/55a13d846cdd30fd5dfaae1e7bfe91af989d3b6dd56643368a31d7387d2ddc4e/5-27-flyer-09.jpg" data-mid="145106748" border="0" data-scale="45" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/55a13d846cdd30fd5dfaae1e7bfe91af989d3b6dd56643368a31d7387d2ddc4e/5-27-flyer-09.jpg" />&nbsp; &nbsp;<img width="2550" height="3300" width_o="2550" height_o="3300" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5f5c279d1fc8dde5d42672fe175570fa7ba34fb529214d42e78ddc19230dc510/5-27-flyer-01.jpg" data-mid="145106749" border="0" data-scale="45" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5f5c279d1fc8dde5d42672fe175570fa7ba34fb529214d42e78ddc19230dc510/5-27-flyer-01.jpg" /> Neighborhood Connection Our pilot project, the Ohio Avenue Steps, are near the intersection of three neighborhoods: Mount Auburn, Over the Rhine and Clifton Heights-University Heights-Fairview (CUF). Through community input sessions, we listened to what neighborhood residents had to say about this public space and how they thought art might improve it. Identity In the community input sessions, residents voted on which artists and artworks they believed would best represent their neighborhood. For the upper Ohio Avenue stairs, residents expressed their desire for a design that would complement the green space around the stairs and connect them to nature. Allowing for community input in the final design provided residents with a greater sense of connection to the artwork. <img width="1147" height="860" width_o="1147" height_o="860" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c82642e052f3ec01f37235614ce4e2ccebef197a9231a145ffe487e2042c558d/IMG_2157.jpg" data-mid="145106772" border="0" data-scale="48" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c82642e052f3ec01f37235614ce4e2ccebef197a9231a145ffe487e2042c558d/IMG_2157.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img width="4032" height="3024" width_o="4032" height_o="3024" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/81ad876fe7a32f8a28c25a69eb10dc5e32e2eb72f0f516fb7b6b693264adfeb9/Community-Listening-Session.jpeg" data-mid="145107746" border="0" data-scale="48" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/81ad876fe7a32f8a28c25a69eb10dc5e32e2eb72f0f516fb7b6b693264adfeb9/Community-Listening-Session.jpeg" /> <img width="745" height="316" width_o="745" height_o="316" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f7f283dcc31ac4f8125e1c32e5f0cdb4676ca3fc440fe71d53cc5150a60bc239/5-POINTS-CINCO-DE-MAYO-from-We-Are-Walnut-Hills.jpg" data-mid="144705374" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/745/i/f7f283dcc31ac4f8125e1c32e5f0cdb4676ca3fc440fe71d53cc5150a60bc239/5-POINTS-CINCO-DE-MAYO-from-We-Are-Walnut-Hills.jpg" />Image by We are Walnut Hills via&nbsp;https://wearewalnuthills.org/event/cinco-de-mayo-five-points-alley/ <img width="670" height="833" width_o="670" height_o="833" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ed588658bf841b2d2caf2a2a2cb939164d5ff9229deff7d5e139d428dc69dfe6/Screenshot-2022-06-06-152123.png" data-mid="144705714" border="0" data-scale="43" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/670/i/ed588658bf841b2d2caf2a2a2cb939164d5ff9229deff7d5e139d428dc69dfe6/Screenshot-2022-06-06-152123.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp;<img width="647" height="834" width_o="647" height_o="834" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/449b50c7da25a238969fcdaab7da76f2a3e59317fae285422dbaeef45f7b8dc3/Screenshot-2022-06-06-152333.png" data-mid="145106740" border="0" data-scale="42" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/647/i/449b50c7da25a238969fcdaab7da76f2a3e59317fae285422dbaeef45f7b8dc3/Screenshot-2022-06-06-152333.png" /> Research and Precedents Five Points Alley, Cincinnati ︎︎︎ A local example of transforming public space in Cincinnati is the Five Points Alley. In the Spring of 2013, over 50 neighborhood volunteers came together to clean up the neglected Five Points Alley. Residents held clean-ups of the space every month and the local redevelopment foundation hosted “pop-up biergartens,” family friendly gatherings that added a sense of community. The space has gone from a forgotten and overgrown alley to become a community courtyard amid many businesses. Yale Study of the Porch Light Murals, Philadelphia ︎︎︎ The Porch Light Program is a collaboration between Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services to create murals that improve the built environment, social connections, and neighborhood empathy. A 2013 Yale School of Medicine study measured community-level results of residents living within a mile of a newly installed mural, over the course of about one year, and reported a relative increase in collective efficacy and trust among neighbors, an increase of informal social control, an increase in perceived neighborhood aesthetic quality, an increase in perceived safety, and a decrease in stigma towards individuals with mental health or substance abuse challenges. Step Up to Art team member Vikhas Mehta is a professor of planning at DAAP. You can learn more about public space through his book, Companion to Public Space, co-edited with Danilo Palazzo https://stepuptoartlab.org/3-Public-Signage Fri, 15 Apr 2022 02:25:23 +0000 Step Up To Art https://stepuptoartlab.org/3-Public-Signage Public Signage How can signage transform urban stairways to activate neighborhood pedestrian networks and public spaces? <img width="1736" height="1760" width_o="1736" height_o="1760" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4db985a047ccfab08cbfcabbfb6893bf6449f2a9b16f4269b52b45de541b3d0a/Vertical-Sign-Sketch-w-labels.png" data-mid="143008253" border="0" data-scale="54" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4db985a047ccfab08cbfcabbfb6893bf6449f2a9b16f4269b52b45de541b3d0a/Vertical-Sign-Sketch-w-labels.png" /> Signage Design Strategy &nbsp; Pilot Project&nbsp;︎︎︎Information: Development of a signage standard that will provide a consistent information layer, while allowing for artistic contents.&nbsp;Sociability: Encourages equitable sociability in public spaces and will lead to increased physical and emotional well-being in a communicative, visible and safer environment.City-Wide Extension ︎︎︎Integration: Connecting potential local design distinctiveness for each neighborhood. &nbsp;&nbsp;Systemization: The stairways with signs will become both destinations and nodes of a city-wide network of ‘pedestrian-transportation-system-as-art-experience’ with efficient connections between walking routes and neighborhoods. https://stepuptoartlab.org/4-Public-Health Wed, 06 Apr 2022 21:21:39 +0000 Step Up To Art https://stepuptoartlab.org/4-Public-Health Public Health: How might a stairway transformed by art increase physical activity and interaction with a public space? Step Counters Frequency of pedestrian traffic is being measured by step counters installed on the stairway Focus Groups Qualitative focus groups will be implemented after the installation is in place&nbsp;to determine if there is an increase in physical activity due to improvements and how it may improve community health overall. &nbsp;