Meet the Artist: Dylan Fresco and Michelle Barnes
Who are our neighbors? What are the stories of our neighborhood?
Dylan and Michelle asked people who live, work, and go to school on and around Chicago Avenue to share their stories of the neighborhood. (To read how that’s going, you can check out www.whatgrowshere.wordpress.com, the project blog that documents their process.)
This May, the two of them led free 80-minute guided “StoryWalks” along Chicago Ave between 33rd and 38th streets. As they walked with audience members up and down the block , Dylan and Michelle shared the stories of the neighborhood as they’ve heard them from people who make up the communities connected to this street. Stories will also be posted along Chicago Ave.
“What Grows Here?” is a storytelling project conceived and produced by Dylan Fresco, and created in collaboration with Michelle Barnes. Dylan has worked in the neighborhood as an artist for over ten years. Michelle has lived here since she was two years old, and works here as both an artist and a youth educator. “What Grows Here?” is an opportunity to connect people and communities together through circulating the stories that grow along Chicago Avenue.
Have a story to share about the neighborhood? Want to hear more? Drop a line below, or write Dylan at whatgrowshere@gmail.com.
See you on The Avenue!
Events Associated with this Project »
Dylan Fresco and Michelle Barnes, What Grows Here from Pillsbury House Theatre on Vimeo.
Listen to these passionate artists speak passionately about why stories matter, why this neighborhood matters, and what their Story Walks do besides just entertain and inform.