Cultural Placemaking

Curator • Cultural Programming • Community Engagement

I partner with developers, institutions, and communities to integrate art, culture, and storytelling into the spaces we live in.

HACFL Sailboat Bend II under construction
Early development phase of HACFL’s Sailboat Bend II, where cultural placemaking strategy begins before installation.

What I Do

I lead cultural placemaking initiatives that integrate public art, storytelling, and community engagement into residential, civic, and cultural developments.

My work brings together artists, institutions, and community voices to create environments that reflect identity, history, and collective memory.

• Cultural Placemaking Strategy
• Public Art Curation & Artist Selection
• Community Engagement & Programming

• Cultural Narrative Development
• Integrated Art Installations
• Creative Direction for Place-Based Projects

Approach

Each project begins with understanding the cultural context of a space — its history, community, and purpose. From there, I develop a narrative framework that guides artist selection, programming, and the integration of artwork into the environment.

L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center ribbon cutting — a project rooted in legacy, honoring the Mizell family’s impact on Black history in Fort Lauderdale.

• Develop a culturally rooted project narrative
• Design and launch artist calls and selection processes
• Curate and commission site-specific artwork

• Facilitate community engagement and storytelling
• Integrate art across physical spaces
• Create cohesive visual and cultural identity

FEATURED PROJECTS

Selected cultural placemaking projects integrating public art, storytelling, and community engagement.

Aya Arts Project

Short description:

A community arts engagement and acquisition initiative integrating a permanent art collection into a nine-story residential development in Fort Lauderdale.

Impact bullets:
• 38 artworks installed
• Community-centered storytelling
• Permanent cultural collection

Sankofa Arts Project

Short description:

A multi-site cultural placemaking initiative integrating public art, historical storytelling, and community engagement within a major community center.

Impact bullets:
• Multi-site installations
• Community-driven narrative
• Public art + historical integration

 

On-site collaboration with leadership at L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center during the Sankofa Arts Project development phase.

Impact

Cultural placemaking transforms spaces into environments that reflect identity, honor history, and center the voices of the communities they serve.

Bullets:

• Strengthens community identity and sense of belonging
• Enhances residential and visitor experience
• Elevates local artists and cultural voices
• Creates lasting, meaningful public art
• Integrates storytelling into everyday environments

Rooted in community and legacy, featuring Lorraine Mizell (daughter of Ivory Mizell), Scott Strawbridge (HACFL), and award-winning filmmaker Cathleen Dean engaging with ceramic works by artist Cheryl Brown.
Experience working with housing authorities, community centers, and community-based organizations.

From concept to community impact, each project is designed to be both culturally rooted and socially meaningful.

Let’s Work Together

Interested in bringing cultural placemaking into your project?