HousEART is a community-wide transformative art project. It connects artists with neighborhood volunteers in order to bring life and color to foreclosed, vacant houses. The story of HousEART is one of cooperation, communication and transformation.
Smith Hill Community Development Corporation, with help from Rhode Island Housing, has been acquiring many vacant and foreclosed properties on Smith Hill over the last 18 months. All these properties will be completely renovated into affordable rental housing as part of a tax credit project titled, Visions II. Visions II will have a profound impact on Smith Hill by returning over 50 units of quality rental housing to the neighborhood. A project of this scope requires much work before any renovations can get started, and consequently the rehabilitation work is not currently scheduled to begin until the spring of 2010.
HousEART aims to fill the void between acquisition and renovation. Artists are invited to bring these properties to life and celebrate the positive changes that are soon to take place. The art is inherently temporary. This project connects artists with neighborhood volunteers to form a design team for individual houses. Plans are required from all teams and artists must be willing to work with and supervise a limited number of volunteers.
16 Bernon St.
The first HousEART project is at 16 Bernon St. by Smith Hill artist, Lydia Stein. The mural depicts wooden carousel horses coming to life and breaking free. As the animals evolve over the 60 linear feet of house that comprises the canvas, a deeply personal story reveals itself. In the artist’s own words, this piece employs “simple, bold shapes and strong imagery, to produce an artwork quickly with the help of neighbors and volunteers that emphasizes the power of the transformative and liberative experience.” Ms. Stein’s Biography
515 Chalkstone Ave.
Providence-based reductive artist, Lynne Harlow’s work at 515 Chalkstone Ave. This project was done on a beautiful Sunday in August with the help of another artist, Rebecca Zub, and a few neighborhood volunteers, including Arianna and Gabriella (Ari & Gabbi).
9 Osborn St.
Artistist/Designer Michelle Peckham’s work often explores the existing conditions of buildings and place, focusing on the details that foster inspiration.
This theme of Ms. Peckham’s HousEART project at 9 Osborn St incorporates her belief that music is a powerful, hopeful act in the same way the the restored property will be a powerful act in the context of the community.
The 9 Osborn project is inspired by a Duke Ellington quote, ” I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues. ”
HousEART Accolades and Updates
March 2010, Rhode Island State Council of the Arts Grant
Smith Hill resident and 16 Bernon St. HousEARTist, Lydia Stein, has received a grant from the Rhode Island State Council of the Arts to bring HousEART to other Providence neighborhoods. This incredible opportunity will engage teams of artists and community residents in a series of temporary public art displays directly on some of the most blighted houses in the city.
February 2010, HousEART Project nominated for “Best Community Art Project in New England
Lydia Stein’s Smith Hill CDC sponsored HousEART project on 16 Bernon St. has been nominated for a 2009 New England Art Award by the prestigious New England Journal of Aesthetic Research, in the category of “Public Exposure Art” which includes public performance, sculpture, street art, etc… This regional competition is further evidence that the HousEART community-based, public art project has been successful in its efforts at shifting the paradigm of vacant houses in our neighborhood from just another example of urban blight to one of positivity. Smith Hill CDC would like to thank Lydia Stein for all of her hard work in the summer of ‘09 as well as all the neighborhood residents that helped her on this truly impressive and unique project.
Click here to view some HousEART Press
HousEART Providence, 2010
Lydia Stein has taken HousEART citywide and she has started her first project of the summer! Located at 63 Kossuth Street, the house is across from William D’Abate Elementary School. Anthony Resto, age 20, worked with Ms. Stein and these pictures represent the first day’s progress. Check here for more great pictures and look for HousEART all over the city.
Please contact SHCDC Project Manager, Christian Caldarone or call 808.4028 to learn more.