People & Places: Activating the Third Space Through Collaborative Art
In her thesis, Longing for Belonging: Rediscovering Community Through Third Places, Prerna Sharma explored the transformative potential of community spaces. This journey culminated in People & Places, an event series that reflected her vision for dynamic environments where people can connect and create. Designed to bring together young creatives in a spontaneous, collaborative art project, the event fostered an atmosphere of energy, playfulness, and genuine connection.
Combining the energy of a street art jam with the collaborative spirit of a community mural project, the People & Places event aimed to activate the third space by inviting passersby to actively participate in the creative process.
Prerna says that the People & Places project began with a speculative design process, leading to two experiential typologies illustrated as postcards. Drawing from her research and the pillars outlined in the National Strategy to Advance Social Connection, she focused on strengthening social infrastructure, deepening knowledge, and cultivating a culture of connection. Prerna explains that this groundwork guided her in creating a true third space where people could authentically engage with one another.
The People & Places event, held on March 23, 2024 at the Neighbor Community Center in Chelsea (NYC), brought together young artists, designers, and creatives for a unique collaborative art project. Combining the energy of a street art jam with the impact of public art installations and the collaborative spirit of a community mural project, the event aimed to activate the third space by inviting passersby to actively participate in the creative process.
The event aimed at gaining insight on the question of “What does community mean to you?” Participants were encouraged to write/sketch/visualize their thoughts and create a collection of post-it notes based on the prompts provided.
Attendees were encouraged to contribute to a communal art piece through a '“blind drawing” activity, where they were instructed to draw the portrait of the person in front of them without looking down at the paper. This clever icebreaker not only sparked conversations but also fostered connections as participants shared laughs and exchanged stories. Additionally, participants were invited to reflect on the meaning of community through writing, sketching, or visualizing their thoughts on post-it notes.
Prerna says the success of the event was evident in the joy and camaraderie shared by participants. Many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet new people and engage in meaningful conversations. By transforming the Neighbor Community Center into a vibrant hub of creativity and connection, Prerna’s People & Places project exemplifies the power of art and community to combat loneliness and foster a sense of belonging.
To learn more about Prerna Sharma's work, take a look at the other thesis projects that make up Longing for Belonging: Rediscovering Community Through Third Places. Find more of her design work at www.prernasharmadesign.com.