URS 3002

Eduardo Perez, Giesella Karner-Brown, Gabriel Fuks, Brian Doss, Max Segal,

Yeison Restrepo, Arthur Fambro, Daniel Vater

The Moses House was founded in Tampa, Florida in 1984 by two

brothers, Harold and Taft Richardson.  Taft Richardson (1943-2008) was a well regarded folk artist known

primarily for his meticulously hand-crafted sculptures made from the bones of dead animals. Resurrection was a recurring theme in his work; he believed that his creations brought new life to the creatures from which they were constructed.

During the 1990s, they operated the Moses House in East Tampa, working with children and families living in the College Hill and Ponce de Leon public housing complexes. After the City of Tampa demolished this housing during 1999-2000, the Moses House base of operations moved back to Sulphur Springs because many of the families were relocated to Sulphur Springs.

Lance Arney was named Executive Director of the Moses House in 2007, shortly before the death of Taft Richardson in 2008.

History

The mission of the Moses House is to create

and provide community-based cultural and educational programs and activities for children and youth from low-income families.

Moses House is located in the Sulphur Springs Neighborhood of Tampa.

Moses House is a non profit, volunteer based program designed to provide the children of Sulphur Springs an alternative and positive after school environment.

Functions of the Moses House

Individual- The children who live in the

neighborhood. Family-The residents of Sulphur Springs Peers-The friends and classmates Schools-Education and socialization. Community Centers-The Moses House and

others. Outside Influences-Police, Stores and

Businesses, Economic Factors, Geographic Location.

Concentric Circles

Living Sculpture• Rather than just being aesthetically

pleasing, the “living sculpture” becomes an expression of the history of the Moses House by helping to attract kids and raise awareness.

• The “living sculpture” is used as a tool to help promote growth within the SS neighborhood as well as the Moses House organization.

• The “living sculpture” allows for a better connection to be introduced between the SS community and the Moses House.

• Through this experience the kids were able to develop important decision-making and group leadership skills.

• It was important to allow the neighborhood kids to be heavily influenced in the decisions of the “living sculpture” because it becomes a visual description of themselves and their lifestyles/beliefs.

• The “living sculpture” was designed to replicate a pirate ship with bench seating using local recycled material.

Super Heroes

-Lance as The Superman-Volunteers as superheroes

Contamination--Volunteers contaminate youth - Youth contaminates the neighborhood

Geoffrey Canada

Thank you!!!