During this workshop, artist, designer, and educator Curry J. Hackett will facilitate a collage workshop using materials and imagery related to DC’s and WPA’s history.

The program is a part of WPA’s ongoing archival work in preparation for our 50th Anniversary in 2025 and it’s the culmination of Hackett’s Research & Development Residency. During his residency, Hackett explored the relationship between local Black history and WPA’s programming at specific sites throughout DC, building on his ongoing examination of how histories of Black experience are shaped by place and site. This workshop will explore these ideas through material forms.

We will provide collage materials but you are also welcome to bring other materials to incorporate into your collages.

About the Artist

Curry J. Hackett (he/him) is a transdisciplinary designer, public artist, and educator. His practice, Wayside, looks to underrepresented histories to inspire meaningful art and critical research. Recently, Curry has been experimenting with artificial intelligence tools, with which he braids Black aesthetics, kinships with nature, and pop culture to imagine surreal scenes of Black joy. This work has been featured in Bloomberg and Architect Magazine. His ongoing research and exhibition series, Drylongso, explores relationships between Blackness, geography, and land. This project has received funding from the Graham Foundation, Journal of Architectural Education, and Wherewithal Grants.