Artists Transform Staller Steps into Community-Centric Space

Caribbean artists Dean Arlen and Adele Todd have reimagined the Staller Steps at Stony Brook University as part of their collaborative project, The Room. Their 12-day residency concluded on October 9, 2023, with an artist talk that showcased their efforts to engage students in redesigning a vital campus space. This initiative is a segment of the Visiting Artist Series, organized by the university’s College of Arts and Sciences and the Center for Changing Systems of Power (CCSP).

During their residency, Arlen and Todd worked closely with students to explore the significance of the Staller Steps, located between the Staller Center and the academic mall. Recognized as a central gathering point, the Steps have historically served as a social, political, and academic hub. Through their engagement, the artists sought to provoke thought on how these spaces could evolve to better serve the community.

Fostering Creativity and Inclusion

Transforming Staller Theater One into an interactive studio, the artists invited students, staff, and faculty to participate in drawing, reflecting, and redesigning the area. This collaborative effort aimed to generate a dialogue about creativity, justice, and inclusion. Manisha Desai, executive director of the CCSP and a professor in sociology, emphasized that the project prioritizes process over mere product. “This is a kind of aesthetic justice,” she said, highlighting the importance of recognizing everyone’s inherent creativity.

The proposed redesign of the Steps incorporated architectural arches inspired by native forms, improved pathways for better accessibility, and reclined seating designed to promote rest and conversation. The aim was to transform the Steps from a simple footpath into a welcoming gathering place.

Desai explained that the artists’ methodology revolved around inclusivity. Students were encouraged to envision the future of the Steps through sketches and writings, linking art with discussions on land use, history, and community belonging. “A methodology has to be inclusive,” she noted, stressing the need to consider the historical context of the spaces we inhabit.

A Call to Action for Future Planning

The residency culminated in a tangible proposal, a document compiled by the artists and participating students. This proposal was presented to the university president and provost and preserved in the campus library to serve as both a record of collaboration and a catalyst for future action. During the artist talk, Todd reflected on the potential for the project to evolve. While university leaders have shown positive feedback towards the proposal, she stressed the need for ongoing engagement. “People like the idea,” she said. “But what we need is a bigger conversation that doesn’t end when we leave campus.”

Both Arlen and Todd view art as a means to foster connection rather than mere decoration. Their work throughout the Caribbean and beyond has focused on empowering local communities to shape their environments. This philosophy resonated with students who participated in workshops, sharing their visions for the Staller Steps. “It’s about companionship and creativity,” Arlen remarked, emphasizing the importance of meaningful conversations on campus.

The residency received support from the Arts, Humanities and Lettered Social Sciences (AHLSS) Committee, which is committed to promoting socially engaged art and creating inclusive spaces. As the project wrapped up, the artists left behind not only sketches and models but also a framework for viewing campus spaces as participatory and vibrant. Desai encapsulated the project’s significance by stating, “It releases our ability to think about solutions for social justice and the big problems.” Through this initiative, the artists have connected creativity with community, leaving a lasting impact on Stony Brook University.