During the fall semester of 2012, my students and I embarked on a journey back to the once thriving cultural center of Baltimore’s Pennsylvania Avenue through the photography of the late Irving Phillips Sr., the grandfather of my friend Irving “Phil” Phillips III. Phil has been archiving his grandfather’s collection for a number of years and we decided that his grandfather’s images, along with current images and text from the community, would become an integral part of our installation at Jubilee Arts, a local non profit arts organization here in Baltimore.

Generously funded by a Baltimore Community Foundation Grant, the Jubilee Arts Installation began in Fall 2012 and was installed Fall 2014. The artwork was a true collaboration, including the photography of Irving Phillips Sr., Irving Phillips II, Malaika Clements, Kelli Williams and includes images of, and quotes from, a number of community members, students and supporters of Jubilee Arts.

Each panel is constructed of photo transferred images on wood, dyed wood and text that came from a community discussion between elders and young adults regarding the project. If you’re interested in viewing the piece in person, it’s located at 1947 Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore, MD.