Holding Space for Tenderness is a community arts project and initiative to create a photographic mural of people’s hands holding their cherished objects. This mural serves as a visual language that shapes our collective identity by dismantling preconceived notions surrounding gender, ethnicity, social class, and race. Renowned local teaching artist Carmen Lizardo led the project in collaboration with PUGG Youth Workforce at MAD. Together, they met community members at various local gathering sites, including Broadway Bubble, Reher Center, The Center for Creative Education, the Mental Health Association of the Hudson Valley, The Boys and Girls Club, and the D.R.A.W..

At each site, PUGG members assisted Carmen in photographing community members’ hands while they held objects of personal significance. These photo images served as the foundation for creating negatives, then used to produce cyanotype prints. At the end of the project, community members will have the opportunity to claim their handprints as meaningful keepsakes.

The original prints will be on exhibit at the O+ Exchange Clinic Gallery at 36 St James Street, from February 1 – March 15, 2024.

Join O+ along with the participating artists and community for the opening reception on February 1 from 6-8pm.