Visitor comments from IWWL: Three Communities in Focus (March Update)

“Excellent exhibit! Thanks so much for listening to the voices and appreciating the artistic ability of youth. Thanks also for showcasing neighborhoods that are often ignored.”


“Enter your film into ‘Our City Film Fest’!”

“The kids have done a terrific job. May they be an inspiration to their environment and other kids. I love the poems. All are terrific, imaginative, and creative. Cierra – I’ve copied your poem. Keep up the good work you all.”

“This was a great exhibit! I love that the community was brought into the museum! Thanks for the experience.”

“I was moved by the poem ‘loneliness’ by Al’Asia. Seek it out the back wall.”

“Great job about Trinidad. I might consider properties over there.” – a SW DC resident

“What a super project! I was astonished to discover there is a neighborhood in DC called Trinidad. I just moved to DC area from Trinidad, West Indies. Thank you!”

The Petworth Tree is Blooming!

One very cool aspect of the "A Stroll Through Petworth" section of the 2010 IWWL exhibit is the flower planting interactive. Visitors can write comments on flower petals made of construction paper and pipe cleaners. They take their comment flowers and plant them in the flower boxes beneath a large tree that our students painted on one of the exhibit walls and decorated with construction paper leaves. The tree and flower pots mirror a picture in the exhibit taken by one of our students. Over the last seven months we have watched visitors turn the leaves on the tree into their own comment book. Our visitors have used the flowers for sharing comments and posting their thoughts about the IWWL neighborhoods. Many have tucked their flowers into the tree's leaves, so we followed their lead and started gluing them onto the tree! Check out the images and comments below and see the Petworth tree come to life!

Visitor Comments from IWWL: Three Communities in Focus (February Update)

“Great exhibit and fantastic photos. I’m glad you were able to share your thoughts, reflections, and observations.”


“This exhibit made my day. Great photographs. I especially liked Southwest.”

“Brilliant exhibit and art project. You’ve introduced me to parts of Washington I knew nothing about and took me on your journey of discovery. I loved the crabs with the questions and answers, the maps, the models, the poetry, the video, the photos, everything!”

“If the children’s work represents our future, then the USA will come out ahead. Amazing work! Totally impressed! Well done.”

“Very nice, I lived in Trinidad for a few years. It’s nice to see how it is viewed through a different set of eyes.”

“A lovely surprise. The exhibit makes me want to explore a far more than near. Thanks!”

“I’m so happy I’ve been a part of this. It will always stay with me” – Jasmine, IWWL participant

“The girl whispers love. Yellow music follows me. Imagine Ruby.” – poem from IWWL visitor

Visitor Comments from IWWL: Three Communities in Focus (January Update)

“I really enjoyed the depth of emotion that was captured throughout the exhibit. Thanks!”

“This is amazing work. Just wonderful. I am a past resident of Petworth (1930-1946) – Roosevelt High School & Barnard Elementary.” 

“Amazing! Congratulations on a job well done. You all should be very proud! I have lived in DC for 14+ years and your exhibit allowed me to see the city through fresh eyes. Bravo!”

“We should give cameras to more kids more often.”

“All the way from Los Angeles, CA. We LOVED this exhibit.”

“Really great concept & I loved the exhibit. It’s amazing how talented these kids are and it’s great that they were given this opportunity to share their talent with others.”

“Thank you for giving this New Yorker a taste of the real Washington DC.  Beautiful work!”

“Wonderful exhibit – exactly the kind of images it is important to preserve. I am glad that these students took these photographs and glad that the Building Museum lets us see what they saw.”

Visitor Comments from IWWL: Three Communities in Focus (December Update)

"I really got a feel for the neighborhood and for the very talented teenagers who put this project together."

"I enjoyed the poems about Trinidad and it's buildings.  All of the exhibits make me curious about meeting the people who live there."

"What a creative and collaborative effort from young minds. Thoroughly enjoyed the different ways you displayed your explorations. Bravo!"

"I was in this program and looking back on it, we did an amazing job" - Jasmine M. 

"We are awesome!" - Sherve B.

"Great exhibit! We live in Southwest and you did a great job capturing its spirit."

"This was really inspiring. It is always good to look at a city with a fresh perspective and you have provided me that.  Thank you and good luck. Don't stop taking pictures."

"Beautiful photographs and exhibit. Well structured and displayed. Lots of talent!" - visitor from South Africa. 

Visitor Comments from IWWL: Three Communities in Focus (Mid November Update)

"Wonderful photographs - great job conveying the spirit of the three communities!"

"My second time at the exhibit - still just as wonderful as two months ago!"

"Great! Tebrikler!" - visitor from Turkey

"I think everything done here is amazing and I wish there were more activities in the community for all the children to do things just like this to learn and to have fun."

"I am a resident of Trinidad. I was blown away with the projects created by the students. Magnificent work!"

"Excellent exhibit - wonderful work with middle school youth and great insights into community."

Visitor Comments from IWWL: Three Communities in Focus (End of October Update)

"Wonderful exhibit! The pride and artistic excitement is so apparent on each young person's face.  Thrilling!"

"Inspiring - the young voice of these kids, their curiosity, kindness, warms my heart."

"I love the crab!" - editor of the Southwester

"Congratulations to all involved in this project. Students, you did a wonderful job! Teachers, you did too.  Thank you for sharing your experience and talents."

"Really creative collaboration & unique design. Keep it up!"

"Great job! You are inspiring a citizen/artist/educator from San Francisco!"

"Great exhibit that reflects a lot of creativity and hard work! What a great way to highlight the neat elements in these neighborhoods. Well done!"