One Day Monument Project Memorializes Crandall Park Neighborhood Home

Youngstown State University’s Department of Art partnered with the Land Bank to host an intensive day-long arts workshop at a historic and vacant home, acquired by the Land Bank, in the Crandall Park neighborhood in Youngstown. Dr. Aaron Knochel, an assistant professor of art education at The Pennsylvania State University, led the event for students, faculty and community members.

Knochel was a guest lecturer on April 5 in the McDonough Museum auditorium. The One Day Monument Project was on April 6. 

Knochtel’s research includes art education, social theory, and media studies. He encouraged YSU students and faculty to learn about, creatively interpret, and memorialize a historic home slated for demolition

“We acquired the property— which was vacant, abandoned and blighted — through Common Pleas Court proceedings,” said Debora Flora, the Land Bank’s executive director. “We recommended this location because of its proximity to the YSU campus; its size (3,010 square feet); as an example of housing styles that were built on the North Side a century ago; and because it had many large first-floor windows to let in natural light.”

Students used digital technologies and traditional artistic media to interpret the stories about the house and its former occupants. Their art works were installed during the day on April 6. A public celebration occurred that evening. Neighbors,  YSU faculty members, elected officials, history buffs and curious onlookers took self-guided tours and shared in a pot-luck dinner.