Artists Redesign Staller Steps to Foster Community Connections

Caribbean artists Dean Arlen and Adele Todd have transformed the Staller Steps at Stony Brook University into a space for community connection through their collaborative project, titled The Room. Their residency, which concluded on October 9, 2023, involved working closely with students to reimagine this central gathering point on campus, encouraging a broader conversation about creativity, justice, and inclusion.

The Staller Steps, located between the Staller Center and the academic mall, have long served as a vital intersection for social, political, and academic discourse. During the 12-day residency, Arlen and Todd utilized Staller Theater One as a dynamic studio where students, staff, and faculty engaged in drawing and brainstorming sessions. This interactive environment allowed participants to share their visions for the space, emphasizing the importance of collective input in shaping community areas.

Inclusive Design Process Promotes Aesthetic Justice

According to Manisha Desai, executive director of the Center for Changing Systems of Power (CCSP) and one of the residency’s coordinators, the project’s significance lies in its focus on inclusivity. “This is a kind of aesthetic justice,” Desai stated. “All of us have creativity within us, but we tend to think about aesthetics only in terms of what’s in a gallery.” This perspective encourages individuals to see their own creativity as a tool for enhancing social justice.

Throughout the residency, students envisioned a redesign of the Staller Steps that incorporates sound, comfort, and accessibility. The proposal included architectural elements such as arches reflecting native forms, improved pathways to facilitate movement, and reclined seating designed to promote relaxation and conversation. The intention was to transform the Steps from a mere passage into a vibrant place for interaction.

Desai emphasized that the artists’ methodology was rooted in inclusivity, allowing students to express their ideas through sketches and writing. “We believe a methodology has to be inclusive,” she noted, highlighting the connection between space, history, and community identity.

Proposal Delivered for Future Consideration

The culmination of the residency was a formal proposal presented to the university president, provost, and campus library for archival preservation. This document not only serves as a record of the collaboration but also as a call to action for future planning and development. During the artist talk, Todd reflected on the potential next steps for the project. She noted that while university leaders have responded positively to the proposal, sustained engagement is crucial for genuine transformation.

“People like the idea,” Todd said. “But what we need is a bigger conversation, one that doesn’t end when we leave campus.”

Both Todd and Arlen view art as a catalyst for connection rather than mere decoration. Their previous work across the Caribbean has focused on engaging local communities in reshaping their environments. At Stony Brook, this approach resonated with students who participated in workshops, sharing their visions for the Steps. “It’s about companionship and creativity,” Arlen remarked during the talk.

The residency received support from the Arts, Humanities and Lettered Social Sciences (AHLSS) Committee, reflecting a commitment to promoting socially engaged art and fostering inclusive spaces on campus. As the project concluded, the artists left behind not only sketches and models but also a framework for viewing campus spaces as participatory and dynamic.

Desai concluded that the project’s importance lies in its ability to connect creativity with community, stating, “It releases our ability to think about solutions for social justice and the big problems. That’s why it matters.”