Unpacking the Past, Designing the Future
The Scrap Exchange recently announced its purchase of a portion of Durham's Shoppes at Lakewood and the intent to develop a Reuse Arts District. To build community support around the project, the Scrap organized the exhibit Unpacking the Past, Designing the Future: The Scrap Exchange and Lakewood in Partnership (on view Dec 16, 2016 to Feb 11, 2017). The exhibit's neighborhood oral histories and playful imaginings of historical artifacts built community support for the Reuse Arts District by demonstrating the Scrap's commitment to local history.
Unpacking the Past, Designing the Future was curated by myself and Julia Gartrell in partnership with the Museum of Durham History and with help from Victoria Bouloubasis, Kimber Heinz, and the Scrap Exchange's Special Events Committee.
The exhibit included a history of the Scrap, a timeline of the Lakewood neighborhood and shopping center, and visions for the Reuse Arts District designed by NC State architecture students.
“Women wore heels and dresses to go shopping. Not gloves. Hats, maybe.”—Elaine Davis, Davis Bakery
“I remember that Woolworth’s sold the best vanilla sundae I've ever had.” —Mayme Webb-Bledsoe, Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership
“The new shopping centers are what hurt this area. When they opened South Square, everybody went out there.” —Travis Parker, Food Lion and Winn Dixie
"RAD will be the one-stop-shop for the Reuse Revolution."—Ann Woodward, Director, The Scrap Exchange
“If you can physically improve the neighborhood and get people together in a way that doesn't drive out those who've been there a long time, then that's an accomplishment.”—Cliff Bellamy, Reporter for the Durham-Herald Sun
“I pray for the folks that come and do their businesses that they keep it in a way to maintain the thread of the community.” — Ricardo Correa, Pastor, Centro de Alabanza Naciones Unidas
“The new shopping centers are what hurt this area. When they opened South Square, everybody went out there.” —Travis Parker, Food Lion and Winn Dixie
"RAD will be the one-stop-shop for the Reuse Revolution."—Ann Woodward, Director, The Scrap Exchange
