Genye: Care and Artistry, 1993
Genye: Care and Artistry is a courtyard garden at the Springhill Transitional Housing Project in Baltimore, MD, created in collaboration with Springhill residents and artists Aryie Smith and Phyllis Wilson, along with neighborhood children. We designed and built a common gathering area with seating that doubles as a tree planter and a “naming” surface that acknowledges the individual’s need for mark making, plus a sandbox, a wildflower meadow, and beds of sunflowers and perennials. Participants in the project visited various cultural sites including the African Musseum in Washington, D.C., and Ladew Topiary Gardens in Baltimore, and learned skills through the construction of the elements. The garden provides a sense of peace and aids the development of community ties, extending care and artistry into the neighborhood.
Plant materials, decorative wall and tree planter, paint, wood, sand
Overall dimensions: 15’ x 60’ x 52’
neighborhood children atop the Mural wall, which was painted by Aryie Smith
Wall dimensions 4’ x 16’ x 2.75”
Some of the wildflowers in bloom in the park
Overall view showing the landscaping, tree planter bench with painted edges, sand box and mural wall
Mural wall painted by artist Phyllis Wilson
Children from Springhill painted their own blocks on the custom tree planter
applying skills learned in arts based workshops and field trips, the neighborhood children took great pride in and were a huge help with painting, planting and building the elements of the courtyard
