REA+CH Residencies

REA+CH Resident Tony Armeni

The Underground Railroad Project was an Art + Community Collaboration with YSU’s History Department, the Western Reserve Historical Society, and the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library. The second REA+CH resident, Tony Armeni, worked together with these three entities and 20 inner-city youths to create their own freedom station within the walls of the McDonough Museum. They joined in the celebration of over 60 Freedom Stations throughout the United States that were identified by the new Freedom Center that opened in Cincinnati in 2004.

The two-month process of creating this installation was open to the public. Visitors to the Museum could view the various stages in progress and interact with the artist and the youths. When the piece was completed, we celebrated with a “closing reception” that was attended by over 200 people including friends and family of the youths who participated. One of the most memorable occurrences that evening was watching the youths give tours of the show to the visitors and sharing with them their experiences over the last two months.