Erin Howley

Erin will create a series of batik portraits of community members from Fishtown and East Kensington. She will interview people about their experiences living in these neighborhoods, and create their portraits using metaphors and storylines from their interviews. Erin will create all-natural dye for the batik using leaves, nuts and roots harvested from vacant lots and roadsides in the neighborhoods.

She plans to exhibit the portraits and audio interviews in an effort to increase dialogue on the experience of living in these neighborhoods. She will invite the interviewees and other community members to come together to discuss the themes and meanings that emerge from the stories. Her goal is to build relationships and increase communication about the experiences, narratives and identities that exist side by side in these neighborhoods.