Abstract
The article honors the impactful work of the late Dr. Melanie Buffington. The author discusses their experience recognizing the overlap between Dr. Buffington’s work and the work of Monument Lab, a public art and history studio based in Philadelphia. Honoring Dr. Buffington’s legacy, the author recommends Monument Lab’s field trip guide as a tool for engaging students in critical thinking and meaningful conversations considering and reimagining public art and public spaces.
Figure1_NoHeroBuffington2012.jpg (109 kB)
Photograph of The Lee Monument with graffiti spray paint stating “No Hero” taken by Dr. Melanie Buffington (Buffington & Waldner, 2012)
Figure2_NationalGeographicCover2021.jpeg (2343 kB)
National Geographic January 2021 Special Issue Cover featuring The Lee Monument reclaimed in 2020
Figure3_MDPCircleSign.jpg (4896 kB)
A sign in front of The Lee Monument showing the reclaimed space informally named, Marcus David Peters Circle after a local Richmond teacher who was murdered by police
Figure4_MDPBasketballHoop.jpeg (3095 kB)
An image of Marcus David Peters Circle reclaimed with basketball hoop in Richmond, VA
Figure5_FieldTripGuide.jpeg (3605 kB)
The Monument Lab Field Trip guide in front of Marcus David Peters Circle in Richmond, VA
Photograph of The Lee Monument with graffiti spray paint stating “No Hero” taken by Dr. Melanie Buffington (Buffington & Waldner, 2012)
Figure2_NationalGeographicCover2021.jpeg (2343 kB)
National Geographic January 2021 Special Issue Cover featuring The Lee Monument reclaimed in 2020
Figure3_MDPCircleSign.jpg (4896 kB)
A sign in front of The Lee Monument showing the reclaimed space informally named, Marcus David Peters Circle after a local Richmond teacher who was murdered by police
Figure4_MDPBasketballHoop.jpeg (3095 kB)
An image of Marcus David Peters Circle reclaimed with basketball hoop in Richmond, VA
Figure5_FieldTripGuide.jpeg (3605 kB)
The Monument Lab Field Trip guide in front of Marcus David Peters Circle in Richmond, VA