Profiles - Artists, Organizations, and Projects

Our vision is to transform a set of Pittsburgh city steps -- at the gateway to Stanton Heights as you enter it from Lawrenceville -- into a magnificent mosaic work of public art. Artist Laura Jean McLaughlin has designed a whimsical, humorous, stunning image of diversity and nature that represents the essence of the neighborhood. The image will unfold on the outside of each of the 44 steps, and full image can be seen in one view. 

Many storefronts on University Avenue are vacant, due in part to Central Corridor Light Rail construction. Increased vacancy rates create a downward spiral as the remaining businesses draw fewer customers. This has a negative impact on the surrounding community. We hope to help turn this cycle around, matching building owners of vacant spaces with people who are looking for “nesting” spaces – short-term opportunities to try out new businesses, galleries, or other types of workspace and event space.

The Bartol Foundation believes in the intrinsic value of the arts to guide in understanding, interpreting and communicating core aspects of people's lives and community. The Foundation also believes in the value of arts to educate young people and build strong communities. All people have the right to be welcomed into arts practices and experiences that are high quality, relevant and accessible.

There are lots of examples of digital storytelling being applied to cultural and social challenges: working with communities, documenting projects, gathering stories, and celebrating events. Often, however, these initiatives are one-offs and lacking strategies to aggregate content, build capacities, grow networks, share knowledge, and sustain activity into the future. Storytelling in the Public Interest engages with these challenges. Our aim is to embed digital storytelling into the communications culture of the community, and environmental, arts, and health sectors.

Street Sense Media's mission is to end homelessness in the Washington, D.C. area by empowering people in need with the skills, tools, and confidence to succeed. Together we use a range of media platforms to raise awareness and spotlight solutions to homelessness in our community.

Center Theatre Group (CTG) is a place where artists, audiences, community members, and students and educators connect through the power of storytelling. Since 1967, our mission has been to serve the diverse audiences of Los Angeles by producing and presenting theatre of the highest caliber, by nurturing new artists, by attracting new audiences, and by developing youth outreach and arts education programs. This mission is based on a belief that the art of theatre is a cultural force with the capacity to transform the lives of individuals and society at large.

Sue Coe’s paintings and drawings have staked a claim for art as a form of investigative journalism. They expose inequities and gross crimes to harsh light, prodding the viewers into fighting for change. Eschewing abstract style and ambivalent content, Coe makes immediate art that communicates hidden activities in blunt terms. Coe produces high-contrast figurative work with a style that could be described as expressionism—her figures and their surroundings are warped, misshapen, but given solidity through thick lines. Through this aesthetic Coe has depicted rape, war, and slaughter.

Sundance Institute supports original storytelling worldwide, focusing on independent film and theatre. The Documentary Film Program is a financial and creative resource for independent documentary film artists working with human rights and social justice themes to create a more aware, engaged and active citizenry.

Using large sheets of paper, anyone of the 20,000 Race guests could draw their emotions about breast cancer, honor a survivor or remember someone who lost the fight. After all 10 sheets of paper were covered by our guests, I cut measured 1.5" lines on the back of each sheet, creating warp and weft lines. Komen volunteers gathered at headquarters to cut each sheet and begin weaving them into fabric. Working together, both at the Race, and afterwards in the weaving "circle", we created using single strips, strong fabric which represents the fact that we are stronger united than singly.