People Make the Place
Miss Eleyes, a Harrison Center Greatriach, photo by Emily Schwank
People Make the Place. The bus driver, the cashier at the grocery store, your fourth grade teacher, your coworker, the people who live on your street, the local musician that performs at a venue in town, the friends you meet up with at a coffee shop, the people you know and the people you don’t-- and you. Every city and town is made up of the people that have been brought together, for jobs, for family, for school, for opportunity. Places have their significance because of the people who have built them, lived in them, and passed through them. The streets, restaurants, parks, and homes carry the experiences and memories we have made there together.
The Harrison Center loves celebrating the people that make up our neighborhoods and their stories that make up the history of our city. The Greatriarchs, long term residents in the neighborhoods of Indianapolis, have taught us so much through their stories of their lives and the city from past decades, and their willingness to share with their community as they continue to create its story together.
Miss Shirley, a Harrison Center Greatriarch, photo by Emily Schwank
Recently, a few of the Greatriarch women performed a devised theatre piece under the direction of resident playwright Ruthie Buescher called Rasheeda’s Freedom Day, that told stories of the strong women that have impacted their lives. Another celebration of their stories and role in the community is a series of paintings done by resident artist Abi Ogle, which hung on 16th Street and are now housed in the Edna Martin Christian Center.
Our partnerships and programs center on connecting people to each other and inviting them into the ongoing story of the neighborhood and city. Experiencing joy together and relying on each other in times of need is what it means to be in community. Community and connection to people looks different lately, as we take essential measures to keep each other safe from the spread of COVID-19. Supporting people right now might look like phone calls, letters, or dropping groceries off on a front porch. It is beautiful to see the creativity of people in reaching and encouraging the ones they love. A neighbor played the saxophone for his niece through the window on her birthday; city dwellers have gathered on their balconies to applaud health care workers each day; a bride and groom organized a car parade in place of their canceled reception. All our neighborhoods, communities, and cities are made up of people who are celebrating, grieving, sharing, and taking care of each other.
Miss Tee, portrait by Abi Ogle.
The Harrison Center has teamed up with the community radio station WQRT for a Harrison Center Radio Hour. The second episode theme was “People Make the Place,” featuring songs written by past musicians in residence that celebrate Hoosiers. You can catch the show live on WQRT as an eight week series. The full episodes are available any time on Soundcloud. Listen to episode 2 below!
Listen to songs about some of our favorite Indy residents below!