Good Neighbors: Fences into Benches by Michael Verdon
Visit the Arlington Art Truck and be a part of an evolving art installation. At first, you will see a long modern fence made of wood invoking separation and privacy. Then, you will be able to write and share your ideas on what it means to be a good neighbor directly on the fence. Once the community has inscribed their thoughts, the fences will be built into 48 linear feet of community-decorated public picnic benches for all to gather.
SEE & DO: Artist designed and crafted wooden fences on which you can write your thoughts as to “What makes a good neighbor?”, “How are you a good neighbor?” or “What makes a good community?” Eventually, the fences will be converted into picnic benches with your writings forever weather sealed and on display.
MEET: Transformative Artist, Michael Verdon and our community partner, a representative from the County Manager’s Office of RACE.
LEARN: Discuss what makes a better neighbor with each other through an interactive art project both while at the fence and later at the picnic bench. Talk about the Racial History Timelines and opportunities to share your story, or how you can get involved. There will be pop-up moments to record your story on site and will be announced in social media.
Fall 2023
Saturday, September 9 – 1-7pm – Rosslyn Jazz Festival, Gateway Park, 1300 Langston Blvd., Rosslyn Metro
Saturday, September 16 – 12-5pm – Green Valley Day, on the grounds between Drew Community Center at 3500 23rd Street South, and John Robinson Town Square
Saturday, September 30 – 11-6pm – Clarendon Day, 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Clarendon Metro
Thursday, October 5 – 3-7pm – Ballston Mega Market, (as part of the Arlington Art Walk evening), 901 N. Taylor Street, Ballston Metro
Saturday, October 14 – 10-2pm – Spoke'n Word: W&OD Trail Takeover, with Arlington Public Library, Bike Circle on north side of Columbia Pike and W & OD Trail (Between Arlington Mill Community Center and the Barcroft Shopping Center.)
For inclement weather, find us at Arlington Mill Community Center, 909 S. Dinwiddie
Saturday, October 14—3:30-6pm – High View Park playground,1945 N. Dinwiddie Street - CANCELED due to rain forecast! It is rescheduled for Tuesday, October 31st at the Community Halloween Party, Langston Community Center, 2121 N Culpeper St.
Tuesday, October 17 – HB Woodlawn Middle School - closed to public
Sunday, October 29 — 9-1pm – Fairlington Farmers Market, 3308 S. Stafford Street
Tuesday, October 31 – 6-8pm – Community Halloween Party, Langston-Brown Community Center, 2121 N Culpeper St.
Learn more about the artist
Picnic Bench Locations
In Spring 2024, the boards from the fences were urethane coated and used to fabricate picnic tables. Then, Arlington Parks staff distributed the tables to community requested sites across the County to these locations:
