The Adam's Garden Park Oral History Project was conducted virtually by three UW-Milwaukee students from a Community Arts class; Audrey Cooper, Rhiannon Ruffner, and Allison Smith. We worked with youth interns from two different groups in the Milwaukee area, Neu-Life and Running Rebels. During this time, we were given the opportunity to connect and learn about the community from the Lindsey Heights neighborhood. We interviewed three different residents from the area; Evelyn Terry, Larry Adams, and Pastor Robbins. Together, we learned about their lives as well as what kind of impact they have had with their surroundings. From there, we created three different art projects based off our interviewees that used their ideas and thought about the ways that this impacted our lives.
Evelyn Terry
"Always keep trying on something, if you don't you wouldn't make it. I didn't make art for the community I made it for my heart. Do your best at something, always try on something that you never tried before. Follow your dreams and always keep on trying. Stay safe at your community and always try something." - Raine Crawford & Evelyn Terry
Who is Evelyn Terry?
Evelyn Terry has been a professional artist since 1970 and has over 400 pieces across the midwest and eastern part of the United States. She is a member of the Lindsey Heights community here in Milwaukee, WI which lead us to interview her. Terry is a multi-media artist as she focuses on a few different art mediums such as pastels, printmaking, installations, and mixed-media monoprints. She has been awarded Artist of The Year from the Milwaukee Arts Board and has done a few pieces for the Milwaukee community over the years. This includes public projects like "Giving Gifts" at Mitchell Airport and "Kindred Ties" at the Bronzeville neighborhood in Milwaukee as well.
Interviewing Evelyn Terry
Youth were tasked to develop questions that they would ask Evelyn Terry. Below is what we came up with.
- What is your favorite medium?
- What made you create the artist books?
- What is one of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome as an artist?
- Does your artwork have a meaning from you or the community?
- Were you doing art before you became a professional? If so, how old when you started?
- How did your artwork help the community?
- How are you rooted in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood?
- Do you have any artworks in Lindsay heights? If so where? What is the meaning behind the place?
- What do you wish our public community knew about Lindsay heights?
- Who/what inspires you to continue being an artist?
"I had a lot to overcome as an artist." - Evelyn Terry
Artwork Inspired by Evelyn Terry
Youth were asked to look at the work of Evelyn Terry's and connect to her Feeling Series. Each participant created their own version using this idea. In order to do so, we had the youths use crayons or oil pastels, black acrylic paint, and a tool for mark making. They were instructed to create crayon rubbings with specific colors that represented how they felt. Then they painted over the surface and when it dried, they scratched away at the surface to release the emotions using coins, popsicle sticks, etc.
What did the Youth think about Evelyn Terry?
"I wasn't into school I was always into art' was my favorite line from the interview." - Pernetha Jeter
"Her answers were her truth." - Makayla Wright
"Interviewing went smoothly, I liked learning more about art. And just sitting listening to how her life was showed me that life could be great." - Janiyah Coleman
Larry Adams
"I never thought of it really as being a leader, I thought about it as just doing the best that I know to do for those that I care for." - Larry Adams
Who is Larry Adams?
Larry Adams is a resident that lives in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood. As he grew in his own career as a contractor, he met his wife, Sharon. Together they continued to grow within the Lindsay Heights community and realized that they wanted to help the improvement of it. They formed a non-profit organization, Walnut Way Conservation Corp. This organization has restored homes, built a community center, transformed lots to gardens, provided ability for economic development and employment, organized wellness programs and engaged residents with revitalization activities.
Interviewing Larry Adams
Interview questions that the youth developed to ask are below:
- What is Walnut Way and what inspired you to develop it?
- How different is Walnut Way from when it started until now?
- Is Walnut Way improving the community?
- Where in Lindsay Heights do you live and how has this impacted your life?
- What was your favorite thing about Lindsay Heights and what is one thing you would change? Where can you restore the tap water and get clean water from?
- What is a leader to you and is there someone in your life that is a leader or mentor to you?
- Were there any challenges when creating the walnut way?
- When did you start believing in yourself?
- What do you wish our public community knew about Lindsay heights?
- Can you speak about how the events of 2020 have affected you and the ways in which you have found resiliency through it all?
- What is something special about the Lindsay Heights community that you think is unique only to this community in Milwaukee or surrounding communities?
"I have to depend on those that are coming behind me, and those that are seeking to be in front of me as my support." - Larry Adams
Artwork inspired by community change and Lynda Barry
Larry Adams had a vision, plan, and determination to help change his community. The youth took time to find their passion and what they would like to improve in their own community, just as Larry did.
The youth created an illustration of words and images representing the steps they will take to create change, inspired by the work of Lynda Barry.
What did the youth think about Larry Adams?
"I liked that he talked about having a clean neighborhood" - Fanijha Lee
"The interview with Larry Adams was very professional. He gave his answers in full. He was a very professional man." - Makayla Wright
"When we interviewed Mister Larry Adams, I thought that he was a very influential person. He was very much involved in his community, and he made sure that his name will forever be remembered. Another thing I learned from him was that once we put in our minds that we can do something it will get done." - Tyzeria Barney
Pastor Robbins
"I want to spread the word of goodness" - Pastor Robbins
Who is Pastor Robbins?
Pastor Wayne Aaron Robbins, Sr. has traveled the country extensively proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Robbins accepted the call to the ministry in 1992 and attended C. H. Mason Bible Institute and later Norfolk Seminary Bible College and was later ordained as an Elder of the Church Of God in Christ in 1997. Once relocated to Milwaukee Pastor Robbins serves as Fatherhood Director for Compel Them to Come, Incorporated. At the end of 2016 he was appointed Superintendent of the Rose of Sharon District in the Wisconsin First Jurisdiction. In 2017 Superintendent Robbins was appointed Vice President of the International Department of Evangelism, Chairmen of Revival Fires. Pastor W. Aaron Robbins, Sr. is married to Dr. Laci Robbins and the proud father of two— Ariana Rochelle and Wayne Aaron Robbins, Jr.
Interviewing Pastor Robins
Youth were tasked to develop questions that they would ask Pastor Robbins. Below are some of their thoughts.
- Are you originally from Lindsay Heights? Where do you live now?
- If you had to use three adjectives to describe yourself, what would they be and why?
- What experiences do you have working and leading in the church?
- Did you start the church? If so, what resources did you use?
- What made you become a pastor? If you weren’t a pastor, what would you be?
- What do you believe are important qualities in leading/serving?
- How often do people come up to you about their problems? How do you help?
Artwork inspired by an inspirational person
Youth were prompted to find an inspirational quote that stood out to them as a way they want to live. Once they found the quote, they would create doodles inspired by Colin Matthes' art work (right) which included the quote and images associated. Our idea for this project came from interviewing Pastor Robbins and hearing all of the inspiring messages he told us.
What did the youth think about Pastor Robbins?
"The interview with Pastor Robbins was very fun. He was honest as well. As well he was funny, giving good advice." - Makayla Wright
"When we did the interview for Pastor Robbins I learned is to always follow your dreams and never give up. Keep trying through good and bad, you will make it through. Keep up the good work and always learn what is inside you. Learn your facts and make sure you follow your dreams. Keep trying and never give up even if you make a mistake. Keep trying." - Raine Cranford
"This art piece was inspired by Pastor Robbins. He said that he is the pastor of the Baptist church. I liked that he answered all of our questions." - Fanijha Lee
Youth Intern's Reflections on the Overall Project
Our Experience: The Instructors
Audrey Cooper
This project taught me a lot about communities and the connections we can make with the people around us. It was an amazing opportunity for me to be given the chance to work with Neu-Life, Running Rebels, and participate in our three interviews. Everyone was excited to be there and to learn more about our special guests. It was really inspiring for me to see how connected the youth interns were with their surrounding community and how much they wanted to learn. My favorite part about the Oral Histories Project was creating projects with the interns that were inspired by our interviewees. All of the interns were very eager to try new artistic techniques and worked very hard on them. As an Art Education student at UW-Milwaukee, it made me happy to see how enthusiastic everyone was about the process and how comfortable they were with experimenting and trying something new. I wish all of our youth interns the best in their future endeavors and hope they can remember this project in a positive way!
Rhiannon Ruffner
What an amazing experience, project, and community! I am honored to be able to have been a part of the Adams Garden Park Oral Histories project, connecting with the youth and hearing from community members. It was inspiring hearing such influential words from the interviewees and seeing that motivation extend into the youth. Each meeting brought further connections, artistic voices, and motivational words. As an art educator, this was a unique experience that truly empowered me as an artist, educator, and person. I am beyond thankful for seeing the transformation of the projects idea into art and resources that will help better everyone involved!
Allison Smith
I was very moved by this project, despite only knowing the youth for three sessions. Their energy and excitement was so contagious and made saying our goodbyes much more difficult. They were all very eager to experiment using art materials and share ideas they had. As an art educator, you work with all kinds of people during your pre-service time and this had to be one of my more special group of humans I've had the pleasure of working with. I did not need much of an introduction and we were all on the same page, laughing, exchanging artistic ideas and sharing stories. I am thankful for the time I had with the group and hope to cross paths with them one day!