Local Artists
Continuing Gordon Matta-Clark's legacy of engaging artists, the Pulitzer presents three projects: Urban Expression, led by Chicago artist Theaster Gates; Urban Evolution, led by St. Louis artist Robert Longyear; and Urban Renewal, led by St. Louis artist Jenny Murphy. In partnernship with local community agencies and schools, these projects offer new ways of appreciating Matta-Clark's art through experience.
Urban Renewal: Jenny Murphy
Urban Renewal involves clients from Employment Connection St. Louis, an association that assists adults with limited opportunities to self-sufficiency through employment. Under the guidance of local artist Jenny Murphy, homeless individuals and ex-offenders salvage bulk trash items and learn ways to transform them into treasure using ecologically-sustainable
methods.
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At the Transformation Project Walk, the finished projects will be on display and auctioned at the Woolworth Building in Grand Center (501 North Grand).
Urban Expression: Theaster Gates
Urban Expression is a workshop promoting reading, writing, and artistic skills for at-risk youths. This project will involve Chicago-based artist and 2010 Whitney Biennial participant Theaster Gates, whose neighborhood-inspired work celebrates culture and promotes social inclusion. With Succeeding with Reading by ACCESS Academies, photographer Stewart Halperin, poet Janie Ibur, and artist Juan William Chávez will guide students from Holy Trinity Catholic School in explorations of their daily lives using photography, writing, and art.These workshops are in preparation for the project with Gates, who will work with the students to activate empty spaces, organize a town hall meeting, and create works of art that will allow new conversations regarding the present and future of this historic St. Louis neighborhood. Through dialogue with Gates, Chávez (curator of the project), and Cujawa Architecture, students and residents of Hyde Park will also create a "Master Plan" for their neighborhood. Gates will respond to their ideas and desires with a series of installations, entitled Dry Bones and Other Parables from the North.
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At the Transformation Project Walk on May 15, the students’ work will be on display at Holy Trinity Catholic School (1435 Mallinckrodt St.) and Gates’ exhibition will be on view in gallery space courtesy of Bruno David Gallery (3721 Washington Blvd., across the street from the Pulitzer).
Urban Evolution: Robert Longyear
Urban Evolution is an after-school program with high school students interested in the arts. Led by St. Louis-based artist Robert Longyear, the project will primarily take place in a building in the Grand Center district of St. Louis, serving as both studio and inspiration for the students’ work. They will learn about the evolution of the district, thereby deepening their understanding of place and how creativity can heal and inspire.
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This project will be on view at the Woolworth Building in Grand Center (501 North Grand).
Latest Content from All Artist Projects
- Urban Renewal: Jenny Murphy
Transformation Project Walk and Continuing the Program at Employment Connection
Teaching artist Jenny Murphy describes the silent auction for the Transformation Project Walk; Urban Renewal participants talk with potential buyers and give their reactions to the event. It was evident during the May 15th Transformation Project Walk that visitors really admired the furniture created during the Urban Renewal workshops. Every piece of furniture sold in [...]
- Urban Expression: Theaster Gates
Urban Expression Moves Forward
Urban Expression reunites at the Old North Restoration Group. On November 13, 2010, at the Old North Restoration Group, Urban Expression had a reunion between Pulitzer organizers, teaching artists and students from Holy Trinity School. For a few hours that afternoon, old friends ate snacks together, looked at their past artworks and noted how much [...]
- Urban Evolution: Robert Longyear
Robert Reads “Seven Ten Split”
Robert Longyear reads his “Seven Ten Split,” which goes with the exhibition for Urban Evolution.