Territory, a youth-based design studio in Austin, has opened “Creating Space,” a public art display in an empty lot across from the former Pink House.
The display formally opened Oct. 12 and pays homage to the Pink House, a beloved Austin landmark that became a symbol of pride and connection in the community, and was recently sold and repainted green.
The vacant lot that became this new art exhibit is located directly across the street from the Pink House at 557 N. Central Ave. It was developed with the City of Chicago’s Together We Heal Creative Place Program, which emphasizes the importance of the arts in promoting health, healing and safety for communities.
“When the color of the house changed, youth recognized that means their neighborhood was changing, and they internalized it a lot,” said Ashanti Leach, community impact specialist at Territory NFP. “They wanted to give homage to that Pink House, what it meant to them, what it means to Austin and let them know that that piece of history can still be celebrated.”
Youth ages 14 to 19 involved in Territory’s urban design program were behind the year-long process of planning and generating ideas on how to use the space.
Territory also collaborated with nearby neighbors and led workshops to learn how the space could impact the community and what the space meant to the community.
“It was a lot of hard work on behalf of the youth: a lot of thinking, a lot of ideating, a lot of utilizing the design-thinking process,” Leach said. “The youth created it from top to bottom. Next thing you know, it became a project for the youth to complete.”
Leach said that despite some challengesi, the team remained motivated by their commitment to the community.
“The youth are dedicated from beginning to end, because they live in this community. They invested their time and their energy,” Leach said. “We had an opportunity to give the community a space or a project that brought everyone together and to make Austin a better place.”
Some activities could also take place at Creating Space, although they have not yet been determined. The decision will be made by the Austin community. Some possibilities include gardening, exchanging ideas and holding workshops and meetings, Leach said.
“I think that the overall impact that Creating Space would like to have on the community is that when we come together and we recognize the importance of creating community for people that it has a positive impact,” Leach said. “That positive impact ultimately comes from us working together and promoting our own health and healing and a safe space for everyone to live in the community.”
Leach said the effort is only the beginning of what the community can do.
“It’s important to listen to everyone’s voice on how their community is made safe and functional for them, including our youth,” Leach said. “We should use our voice, similar to what the youth has done with this project and continue to make our community a better place.”