The Kelsey inclusive affordable housing development to feature public art by Joseph “JD” Green
The Kelsey Civic Center has chosen Joseph “JD” Green’s artwork to be installed outside a new community center in San Francisco.
The Kelsey Civic Center is an inclusive, affordable, accessible, and sustainable community of over 100 new homes for people with and without disabilities in the heart of San Francisco with targeted construction in 2022. In partnership with Creativity Explored, The Kelsey invited artists to submit proposals for the commissioning of public artwork for their building.
On the ground floor facing Grove Street, opposite the monumental San Francisco City Hall, The Kelsey Civic Center will include 1,300 square feet of business and community space. In front of the center a perforated metal bi-fold door will feature artwork by Joseph “JD” Green.
Eleven Creativity Explored artists submitted proposals for consideration for the public art commission - Peter Cordova, Joseph “JD” Green, Jesus Huezo, Joseph Omolayole, Yolanda Ramirez, Kevin Roach, Amani Swalim, Kate Thompson, Gerald Wiggins, Doris Yen, and Yang “Buurin” Yu-Zhen. Each artist was paid an honorarium for their participation and showcased their distinct style and interpretation of disability inclusion, and racial and social equity. Ultimately, JD’s work was chosen and approved by the San Francisco Arts Commission!
Joseph “JD” Green’s work will be translated into a perforated metal bi-fold door that will mark the outside of The Kelsey Civic Center’s community center. By punching varying-sized holes into the metal, the differing amounts of light will recreate JD’s originally drawn image. He will be a recipient of a project honorarium and continues to be involved in the design process as The Kelsey moves towards production. In detailing his artwork for this project JD described the following:
“The faces are made of puzzle pieces. It is an indirect way to address the disability theme; the puzzle shows the idea that someone’s sense of self can be made up of many different parts. As an African American, Black man, there are many pieces that make up that identity for me, as well. First I did some sketches of faces and then I thought about how different aspects fit together in a puzzle piece kind of way.”
Photo by Peter Prato
We hope you can celebrate with us when the new apartment building and JD’s work come to life in 2024. You can continue to learn more by visiting The Kelsey online at thekelsey.org and can support by shopping work by Joseph “JD” Green.
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