The JoyBox is a neighborhood-rooted exchange and an invitation to build collective memories of joy. Standing 4’ tall, 3’x3’ wide, made of a refurbished medicine cabinet, and laid with colorful vinyl and interactive panels, the JoyBox sits on a sidewalk corner as a beacon of colorful disruption. Here, a neighbor can find something inside the box that brings them joy and leave something behind that might spark joy in another, continuing the ever-flowing exchange.
In this workshop, participants will explore the JoyBox and learn how joy can be a tool in collective resilience. As a pop-up installation, the JoyBox is designed to challenge the built environment and spark a culture of reciprocity amongst neighbors in a way that feels good. Connections are made through real-time collisions between neighbors who are drawn to the JoyBox, as well as through the slow and quiet magic of seeing the JoyBox transform as neighbors contribute asynchronously over time. As our social fabric is woven, tethered by the powerful gravity of joy, we are able to lay the foundation for a sense of place and ultimately, build collective capacity.
While my work is rooted in joy, this concept can take many different shapes (trading rocks or books or pantry items or recipes or art) depending on the needs and gifts of the community. This session is designed for those seeking tools to activate their neighborhood starting with a small-scale, creative project.
