The City of Dreams, Population: Everyone
Celebrating the past and present history of diversity and social justice in New York State and beyond, towards an equitable future inclusive of us all : )
At Schenectady County Public Library,
Schenectady, NY!
The City of Dreams at the Underground Railroad Education Center (the historic Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence) Albany, NY
Stemming from the love I had as a child for my little toy Fisher Price city and my deep desire for a just world at peace, this is a peek at a work that is available for libraries and other public institutions in New York State to borrow for display. Contact me at jenwojtowicz2011@gmail.com for availability, and check my Instagram, YouTube, and Patreon accounts for more information on The City of Dreams, Population: Everyone and other ongoing projects!
The main objective of The City of Dreams, Population: Everyone project is to use the magic that children and adults find in small worlds to spark the imagination and suggest possibilities for our own reality through an emphasis on representing and including all kinds of people. When children see themselves represented in any media - art, books, movies and toys- they see that they belong! The City of Dreams, Population: Everyone invites the viewer to imagine themselves as a fully engaged character, living in a community of neighbors and friends : )
Saratoga Springs Public Library, Saratoga Springs, NY
Family time!
Dads and Babies
The school features a community garden on the roof!
Neighbors sharing veggies!
Little students!
Book reports!
Art Class
Music class!
The polls are open! Make sure you VOTE!
To ground the project I mixed New York State's diverse past and current history through replicas of real buildings and people with imaginary ones. I received permission to build replicas/representations of historical sites such as The Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence ( an important site in the history of the Underground Railroad in Albany), The Harriet Tubman House in Auburn NY, Doris Records in Buffalo NY (an important community fixture since 1962) and The Frederick Allen Lodge ( aka The Black Elks, the oldest surviving Black organization in Saratoga Springs NY). Historical figures Frederick Douglass and Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee are represented by monuments honoring the work they did to improve people’s lives, promote equality and make a more just nation. Jeremy Dennis, artist and historian, graciously gave permission for Ma's House to be included in the project as well. Jeremy used the pandemic to turn his Grandma's house on the Shinnecock Nation into a BIPOC artists retreat, gallery and community arts space. He even shared beautiful family photos to be included in the replica!
The Underground Railroad Education Center (aka the historic Meyers Residence) Albany NY...
Paul Stewart directs the historic site with his wife Mary Liz Stewart
Portrait of abolishonists and Underground Railroad conductors Stephen and Harriet Myers
Harriet Tubman house, Auburn NY
Harriet Tubman's sewing machine in the downstairs window : )
Harriet Tubman enjoying a peaceful rest : )
Doris Records, 286 East Ferry St, Buffalo NY...
... a historic record store offering recordings and concert tickets...
...since 1962!
Founded by Mack Luchey (mini portrait replica by Marcus Kwame Anderson)...
... Aretha Franklin stayed at his house when she toured in Buffalo!
The store is now run by Mr. Luchey's son, Big Pete!
Buffalo artists on vinyl!
The Frederick Allen Elks Lodge, Saratoga Springs, NY
The Saratoga Free Fridge, located at the Frederick Allen Lodge
Frederick Douglass monument
Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee monument Suffragist, Community Leader & Advocate
Ma's House & BIPOC Art Studio Shinnecock Nation, Long Island NY
Photograph of Mrs. Lorretta A. Siva, aka Ma
Bee keeping at Ma's House
The joy of reading quickly and organically became a theme in The City of Dreams, so highlighting organizations that are bringing books to children was a natural direction to explore. The Red Bookshelf of Albany, The Brooklyn Book Bodega, and Schenectady County Public Library's STARS program all graciously agreed to be represented in the project, and provided me with SO MUCH art making joy! Each of these fabulous not-for-profits provide free books to children!
The Red Bookshelf
RED Bookshelf places their signature red bookshelves in the community, stocked with donated books!
RED = Read Every Day
The Brooklyn Book Bodega, from beginning...
...to end!
The STARS program puts free books for babies and toddlers in pediatricians offices in Schenectady NY!
In addition to Jeremy Dennis, I was fortunate to connect with contemporary artists Ladie Ovila, Sabrina Kendall and my own husband Marcus Kwame Anderson around the project, and they generously contributed their own art to the project, as well as sharing their own stories, families and likenesses. Niio Perkins, bead artist and fashion designer extraordinaire, extended permission (and many reference photos!) for a replica of her storefront, as well as her fashions and jewelry on some teeny-tiny little people. Saratoga Springs artists Kim Vincent Harris and Ben Gleekman gave permission for replicas of the beautiful murals they painted at The Frederick Allen Lodge to be made. Frederick Allen descendant Alexus Brown of Saratoga BLM started and maintains the Saratoga Free Fridge, which the Lodge hosts on its porch. Bri Phillips, with C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios, is the artist who painted the original Saratoga Free Fridge!
No community is complete without the people and places that center good food, good talk and a welcoming atmosphere! I was honored to represent some of my favorites in The City of Dreams: A family favorite for many years, Pho Yum in Albany NY is the home of heavenly pho “… a savory Vietnamese rice noodle soup that warms the soul and lifts the spirit....” delicious noodle bowls, and refreshing soda limes : ) It’s an even bigger treat when we are greeted by owner Linh Diep, who has created a warm and inviting space to enjoy all of her delicious comfort food! Make sure you stop by when you are in Albany! Torres Ultimate Fitness Facility has been our favorite spot for TKD and fitness classes for years. Upstate New York is famous for its apple orchards, and family friend Isabel Prescott runs our local favorite Riverview Orchards! Jun San is the Buddhist nun who cares for The Grafton Peace Pagoda. She is one of our favorite people : ) My friend Roberta lives all the way across the country, but her thoughtful posts reach every corner of the globe. Family friend Tonya Abernathy is my favorite vocalist in the world : ) Sadly, favorite places sometimes close after years of great food and family gatherings, but they will live on in The City of Dreams, as is the case with Beirut Lebanese Restaurant, located on River St in Troy, NY until 2021. I kid you not when I say my daughter grew up on Hala and Elias Hajj Nasr’s delicious home cooking! Another local favorite was Guru’s Market. The lovely owners were so helpful during the early, frightening days of the pandemic, and they always had beautiful produce and fresh samosas along with every other thing you could possibly want : )
