By Bianca Marcof, The Miami Times
Poems written by Opa-locka residents are lighting up the city’s streets.
The “Opa-locka Light District,” a new public art installation created by O, Miami and the Opa-locka Community Development Corporation (OLCDC), is broadcasting the voices of residents of all ages while illuminating streetscapes to increase pedestrian safety.
Ten city street lamps along Opa-locka Boulevard now project short original poems onto sidewalks and edifices that include the historic Harry Hurt Building, city municipal buildings and La Granja Supermarket, among others.
The idea for the project, which had been in the works for more than two years, came from former OLCDC arts manager Ashley Cover. Adrienne Chadwick, current arts manager, executed it.
The poems were collected during workshops led by O, Miami in area community centers and schools; poems by three adults and six youth were selected to be featured in project. The works address the topics of democracy, public safety, transportation and infrastructure.
“We were thrilled to hear the voices of Opa-locka residents,” said O, Miami director P. Scott Cunningham. “And we’re grateful for the chance to broadcast them back to the community through a public art project that promotes safety and civic pride.”
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