This week the Gifford Street Community Press began collecting residents’ writing and art for the Press’ first publication: a collection titled “Home” that presents the residents ideas on the meaning of home on the Westside. The Westside is currently undergoing many changes with the police cameras going up and new programs sprouting around every corner, so we feel it is appropriate to turn to the residents for stories about home since they are the ones most impacted by the current events taking place in their neighborhood.
Our intention with the writing stations is to inspire and collect as many resident voices as we can to develop this colorful and educational book about what the neighborhood was in the past and is today. The start has been slow but promising. We have several residents who have expressed an interest in being interviewed for the book. We anticipate some really exciting stories to come out of the relationships we have made. In speaking with them we have seen but a glimpse of the richness they fill the neighborhood with, making us that much more excited to be part of this budding project!
The Press set up writing stations around the community to work with residents on four different writing prompts. Locations included Brown Memorial Church, the Kind Coffee Company, and the Delavan Art Gallery. We’re only a few weeks in and a ton of great work has already been collected. A big “thank you” goes out to everyone who took the time to contribute.
There will be many more writing sessions held in the coming weeks. Check out the calendar for the times and locations of upcoming writing sessions. Come visit one of the sessions to contribute to the book, or simply to find out more about the Gifford Street Community Press!
