Independent Study: Visualizing the commercial district of Grand Ave in the 1960s
This is a past event.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 6:30pm
Gibson Plaza 3629 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove
Independent Study: Visualizing the commercial district of Grand Ave in the 1960s
Gray Read, Spring, 2023
Wednesdays, 3:00- 5:00, PCA 218
This Independent Study course in the Spring term of 2023 brings together architecture students from FIU and MDC and one FIU doctoral student in the Humanities to create a digital reconstruction of the historic commercial heart of the Black community in Coconut Grove.
In the 1950s and 60s, West Grove had a thriving commercial district on Grand Avenue that served the Black community in segregated Miami. Very little now remains of the shops, restaurants, juke joints, and movie theater that served as the focal point of the neighborhood, however, the place is still alive in the memories of those who grew up there.
The class created a 3D digital model of the buildings that once lined Grand Avenue based on archival research, old photographs, and the recollections of some of those who remember the life of the place. The final product is a virtual walk down Grand Avenue accompanied by a set of short narratives recalling the life of the place. The model contributes to the community's effort to remember its history and identity, even as the area is facing pressure for redevelopment and gentrification. The model will be used as an online resource with an invitation to add more stories.
The project is supported by a grant from Humanities Edge.
Students in the course:
Andrea Ceglia
Andrea Gomez
Aarti Mehta-Kroll
Olivia Oldham
Natasha Overn
Leesley Polanco
Sarah Terrazas
Cristina Fonfria
Nina Cuesta, MDC,
Giselle Rivera, MDC,
MDC Faculty: Bobbie Walker
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