Grounded in Play: Stories from the Field - A Memory Museum Experience
Description
Join us for an afternoon of storytelling, memory, and community as we honor and preserve the history of The Field. This event kicks off a new project — supported by a grant from Humanities DC — to document The Field's story and share it with the broader community.
If you grew up there or hold memories of The Field, we want you there. Bring photographs, old block party fliers, and any artifacts connected to The Field — items can be scanned or photographed on-site as we create a Memory Museum and prepare for an exhibition about The Field opening in 2027 and will have programming for Earth Day.
While you're there, have your portrait taken for our community portrait series, capturing the faces who carry this story forward. You'll also have the chance to participate in Playback Theater, where you share your story aloud and a live troupe transforms it, on the spot, into a short 3–5 minute performance reflected back to you.
Come ready to remember, share, and celebrate the community that shaped us.
Grounded in Play: Stories from THE FIELD - a project by artist Mēlani N. Douglass in collaboration with Valley Place Arts Collaborative is a recipient of the 2026 Visions - Projects & Events Grant from Humanities DC.
This event will take place at THEARC as a part of Building Bridges Ward 8 Voices who has provided space and staff to make this event possible.
Photography is by Kayla Benjamin for the Washington Informer. See the full story here: https://www.washingtoninformer.com/talbert-terrace-residents-fight-for-community-park/
FAQs
- What is a Memory Museum?
The Memory Museum was originated by artist Mēlani N. Douglass as a pop-up exhibition of a community's memories, with past iterations in DC, Baltimore, and as far as St. Maarten. This version is a community-built collection of stories, photos, and personal artifacts honoring The Field and the people who shared it — and will inform the 2027 exhibition. Attendees are invited to bring items that hold meaning — old photographs, block party fliers, or other keepsakes tied to The Field — which will be scanned or photographed on-site and preserved as part of a lasting public archive documenting this history.
- What is Playback Theater
Playback Theater is a live storytelling practice where you share a personal memory or story aloud, and a theater troupe immediately improvises it back to you as a short 3–5 minute performance. It's an interactive, in-the-moment way of honoring and reflecting a story back to the person who told it and to the community witnessing it.
- How can I learn more about The Field and the struggle to keep it out of developer's hands?
Here is a great article about the fight for The Field. https://www.washingtoninformer.com/talbert-terrace-residents-fight-for-community-park/
Also, come out to the event to learn more! The event is open to the public.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
Register
Register
