So, How Does a DO-Ference Work?


First, we invite you to participate in the on-going dialog on the Design Ethos blog. This will help you learn about life along Waters Avenue. You will also learn about different class initiatives that are presently underway as a means of preparing everyone for the DO-ference.

Then, add your voice to the blog, even if that just means asking questions, or sharing links or ideas. Also, make sure to visit the Case Study section, which includes projects that have been done in the past either along the Waters corridor. Between the blog and the Case Studies, we figure anyone coming to the DO-ference can learn just about anything they want to know about Waters Avenue.

 

the DO-Ference Schedule

Please note that this is only the schedule for the DO-ference events. The rest of the full conference schedule, which includes keynotes, receptions and other events, can be found here.

Want a side-by-side view of Ethos vs. the DO-Ference? Download it here.

Thursday, April 19
8:00a.m.–10:00a.m. DO-FERENCE OPENING Trustees Theater
8:00a.m.–8:30a.m. Coffee // DO-ference Check-in Trustees Theater
8:30a.m.–9:30a.m. Opening Remarks Trustees Theater
9:30a.m.–10:30a.m. Panel // REGIONAL VOICES

Panel members:
Floyd Adams, Jake Hodesh, Devena Jordan, Chris Miller, Julie-Rodgers-Varland, Regina Thomas, Dr. Mildred McClain

Panel moderated by:
Denise Grabowski of Symbiocity		 Trustees Theater
10:30a.m.–11:30a.m. Departure to Waters Avenue with SCAD Tour From Trustees Theater
11:30a.m.–12:30p.m. Waters Avenue Walkabouts Various Locations
12:30p.m.–1:30p.m. Waters Avenue Lunch On-site Waters
2:00p.m.–4:00p.m. WORKSHOPS
  1. Break out into teams
  2. Introductory sessions
  3. Bus back to Trustees Theater
 On-site Waters
4:00p.m.–6:00p.m. Conference Registration Trustees Theater
6:00p.m.–7:30p.m. Opening Remarks
Keynote: DAVID BERMAN		 Trustees Theater
8:00p.m.–10:00p.m. Opening Reception Gutstein Gallery
(Directly across from Trustees Theater)
Friday, April 20
8:00a.m.–9:00a.m. Coffee // Registration Trustees Theater
9:00a.m.–10:30a.m. Keynote: EZIO MANZINI Trustees Theater
10:30a.m.–11:00a.m. Break  
11:00p.m.–12:30p.m. DO-Ference Workshops Adler Hall
12:30p.m.–2:00p.m. Lunch on your own  
2:00p.m.–6:00p.m. DO-Ference Workshops Adler Hall
8:00p.m.–10:00p.m. Film Screening—“URBANIZED” directed by Gary Hustwit SCAD Museum of Art
Saturday, April 21
8:00a.m.–9:00a.m. Coffee Hamilton Hall and Adler Hall
9:00a.m.–11:30a.m. DO-Ference Workshops Adler Hall
12:30p.m.–2:00p.m. Lunch on your own Hamilton Hall
2:00p.m.–4:00p.m. DO-Ference Workshops Adler Hall
4:00p.m.–4:30 p.m. Transportation to Trustees Theater Buses will be waiting in the Hamilton Hall Parking lot
4:30p.m.–6:00p.m. Summary presentations to full conference

Each team will have 15 minutes to present a summary of their efforts to the larger Design Ethos conference		 Trustees Theater
6:00p.m.–7:00p.m. Panel: REFLECTIONS

Panel members:
David Berman, Marc Rittig, Sara Jo Johnson, Cameron Tonkinwise, Ezio Manzini, and Dianna Miller

Panel moderator:
Hannah du Plessis of Fit Associates		 Trustees Theater
7:00p.m.–7:30p.m. Conference wrap-up
 Trustees Theater
7:30p.m.–8:00p.m. Transportation to SCAD Museum of Art From Trustees Theater
8:00p.m.–10:00p.m. Closing Reception
 SCAD Museum of Art

Find out What Design Ethos is All About

Ethos Blog


DO-Ference Groups

Below you'll notice a graphic that explains the member breakdown of each DO-Ference Group. This particular set-up exists in order to optimize resources with each theme listed. DO-Ference Teams

Workshop Themes

The DO-ference convenes six ‘teams’ that will creatively strategize ways to empower assets already existing along the Waters Avenue corridor. Each group will explore ways to amplify and accelerate efforts already underway, and align those efforts with six essential areas of focus.

Design Ethos thanks Rwade Campbell, Jill Graves, and Dustin Larimer, members of Volta Collaborative (link to: http://voltacollaborative.com), for their work in facilitating conversations between the Design Voices before and during DO-ference!

Click on each theme name below for more information.

THEME A // EMPOWERING COMMUNITY
ASSET: Eastside Concerned Citizens / WW Law Center

“Eastside Concerned Citizens, Inc. is more than just a neighborhood association. We are a family dedicated to the progress and improvement of all members.” For almost 30 years Eastside Concerned Citizens, Inc. has served the communities of East Savannah. ECCI’s mission includes improving the quality of life of its approximately 2,500 residents by moving people out of poverty, counseling on asset building, providing healthcare services, and making skilled training programs for enhancement for youth. In what ways can design, design thinking, and visual communication provide such a strong community presence more leverage to empower its community?

DESIGN VOICES: Bernard Canniffe, Natacha Poggio
REGIONAL VOICE: Regina Thomas
MUNICIPAL VOICE: TBA
COMMUNITY LEADER: Freddie Patrick
THEME B // EMPOWERING BUSINESS
ASSET: Waters Ave. Business Association

With a long and proud history of direct action and engagement along Waters Avenue, and a recently re-energized membership, Waters Avenue Business Association will continue to play a key role in stewarding the long-term vitality of the Waters Avenue economy. But such organizations require tools, methods and strategies to catalyze small business involvement in community re-development, entrepreneurial support, and local business advocacy. How do a group of enterprising business people already working hard to keep their businesses prospering join together to transform the local economy?

DESIGN VOICES: Brian Dougherty, Nathan Shedroff
REGIONAL VOICE: Floyd Adams
MUNICIPAL VOICE: TBA
COMMUNITY LEADER: Sidney Johnson
THEME C // EMPOWERING YOUTH
ASSET: The Globecroppers (GATOR RIVERS & HARAMBEE HOUSE)

Who can’t identify with a hometown hero who leaves town to travel the world, and returns home later in life with fame, good fortune, and a desire to give back to the community? Harlem Globetrotter Larry ‘Gator’ Rivers is that figure for Waters Avenue, and his dream, in conjunction with the environmental justice organization Harambee House, is to instill civic engagement and self-determination in the youth of Waters Avenue by creating an innovative program where children who compete on the basketball court must also compete in the garden. A three-point shot will only get you so far—adding a prize-winning tomato that’s personally delivered to a needy neighbor will determine who the real champion is. How does design help a real champion transform an innovative idea into a strong, sustainable program for youth empowerment and community enrichment?

DESIGN VOICES: Mark Randall, Noah Scalin
REGIONAL VOICE: Dr. Mildred McClain
MUNICIPAL VOICE: TBA
COMMUNITY LEADER: Gator Rivers
THEME D // EMPOWERING CULTURE
ASSET: Meadowlark Studios and Indigo Sky Gallery Community

As an established cultural center on Waters Ave, MeadowLark Studio’s founder and director, Jerome Meadows was a logical choice for someone to convey the importance of art as an integral part of the Waters Avenue revitalization initiative. Jerome also runs Indigo Sky Community Gallery, which is housed within the same historic icehouse as MeadowLark Studio. The gallery serves as a grass roots exhibition and events space for the community, and for the city at large. Jerome’s position as a SCAD Visiting Artist in the winter and spring quarter of 2012 has afforded him an opportunity to work with numerous graduate students in addressing ways in which art can be utilized to foster and codify an expressive community voice. These efforts, informed by extensive research and documentation provided by the students, are in their formative stages and provide a unique opportunity for input from conferees. In what ways can a beacon of creative expression within a community be empowered to expand its reach so that the essential role of cultural identity for any healthy community can thrive?

DESIGN VOICES: Josh McManus, John Bielenberg
REGIONAL VOICE: Devena/Tony Jordan
MUNICIPAL VOICE: Michelle Hunter
COMMUNITY LEADER: Jerome Meadows
THEME E // EMPOWERING PLACE
ASSET: Ramona Riley School Building and Grounds

On a geographically central corner of the Waters Avenue study area sits a large, vacant building that holds great promise as a cornerstone of a revitalized corridor, even as its present conditions cast a shadow of lost opportunity. Ramona Riley Elementary School, built in the 1920s, closed in 1990 and has sat vacant ever since. While interest is high in redeveloping the majestic building and its property, renovation and remediation challenges have plagued the structure. Ramona Riley plays an integral role in the future health of the community. What potential uses would provide the most benefits to the local community and economy, and how can design play a role in framing a positive discussion for shared prosperity with strong local roots?

DESIGN VOICES: Charlie Cannon, Ursula Tischner, Matt Leavell
REGIONAL VOICE: Julie Rodgers-Varland
MUNICIPAL VOICE: Otis Brock
COMMUNITY LEADER: Rosemary Banks, Carl Miller
THEME F // EMPOWERING RENEWAL
ASSET: Housing Stock

Many residents within the Waters Avenue study area fear that even with an influx of resources and attention to the Waters Avenue business district, the sheer quantity of derelict residential buildings in the blocks surrounding Waters Avenue will hinder a healthy residential revitalization. With so many homes vacant and falling apart, neighbors feel threatened by the decay, and by the crime that such derelict homes can foster. How can a burden be transformed into an asset for the community? Within the choices of demolition, renovation, and deconstruction, how can design facilitate the transformation of of decrepit building stock into a source of wealth, well being, renewal and pride for the local residents?

DESIGN VOICES: Mike Weikert, Marc O’Brien, Liz Ogbu
REGIONAL VOICE: Jake Hodesh
MUNICIPAL VOICE: Sean Brandon, Garrison Marr
COMMUNITY LEADER: Ramsey Khalidi