Public Art Community Engagement (PACE) paired artists with neighbors to define future public art projects that fit wants, needs, and desires of the people that will see or use it the most through art-making-centered conversations.

About PACE Southeast: April-December 2018

PACE artist, Josh Graupera, a Lancaster-born, Philadelphia-based artist initiated artistic gatherings and workshops in Southeast Lancaster, asking residents to contemplate:

“What places in your community would you like to transform or enhance with art?”

“How has your neighborhood helped shape you/your community?”

“How does your culture or traditions influence your community? Your home?”

“What resources and structures does your neighborhood need to flourish?“

Their answers were collected and used to inform the planning of future projects. Over eight months and through over 20 events and pop-ups, Graupera spoke with hundreds of residents and compiled the data into the following report. Working with six organizations (Crispus Attucks, San Juan Bautista, Hillrise Mutual Housing Agency, Lancaster Housing Authority, The Mix at Arbor Place, Community Action Partnership) and Lancaster Public Art, Josh hosted a series of arts celebrations to generate a future vision for art, culture and service in Southeast Lancaster. In June and July, PACE hosted four celebrations : June 25th, at Crispus Attucks, July 9th at The Lancaster Housing Authority (in collaboration with Hillrise Apartments), July 16th at San Juan Bautista and July 18th at The Mix at Arbor Place.

Each celebration had its own theme; chosen based on the services of the sponsoring organization, their history and the constituents they serve. In addition to these celebrations, pop-up engagements happened at different events: Crispus Attucks Food Bank, San Juan Bautista Festival, Annual Day and Celebrate Lancaster.

From October - December 2018, artist Josh used a roving pushcart, inspired by piragua carts used by local Latinx entrepreneurs selling water ice and fruits, as a way to further community-centered dialogue. Josh worked from the cart at various community events and also roamed the streets in Southeast Lancaster to start conversations with neighbors there. The cart opened to become a printmaking station and served as a community art-making hub.

In the spring of 2019, Josh organized data in hopes that the information could spark a series of conversations, projects, programs and services within and around Southeast Lancaster. The following visual report the result of this yearlong exploration.