The Elma Lewis Amphitheatre project is a proposal for converting the old Franklin Park Zoo Bear Dens into a multi-use public space in honor of the local arts icon Elma Lewis. This proposal was initiated by Jamarhl Crawford in 2013 who describes the process below:
The Concept
As a son of Roxbury and a former student of the Elma Lewis School, I always wanted to do something to pay homage to this Roxbury icon and matron of arts, Ms. Elma Lewis. An area that was always near & dear to my heart was Old Zoo – The abandoned bear cages in Franklin Park. This area has been abandoned since my youth, falling into further disrepair and becoming a part of the park that while serene & beautiful has been used as spot for drinking and drug use making it unwelcoming to joggers, walkers, women and children.
The Team
I was fortunate enough to see an article in the Boston Globe written by Patrick Rosso about 3 young architects who recently graduated from Northeastern University who had a visionary proposal for Dudley Sq. Recognizing their ingenuity, I reached out to the architects Chris Marciano, Ryan Matthew and Mark Munroe who were gracious enough to hear my vision to re-purpose the old bear dens into the Elma Lewis Amphitheatre.
Before we met I made a very informal video to explain my vision on the site.
The team of studioMAUD (Marciano, Matthew & Munroe) met with me at the old bear dens, agreed to take the project on and after returning several more times to survey, I was presented with a tangible plan within 45 days. I cannot express to you how blown away I was by the presentation and I am sure you will be as well. Please view our vision for the Elma Lewis Amphitheatre. rolex replica rolex zegarki
Since then have I met with The Museum of National Center of Afro-American Artists, The Franklin Park Coalition and Suffolk Construction who have all expressed favorable reviews and support. Stay tuned as plan for public community meetings to gain community support for worthwhile and long overdue project in honor of Elma Lewis.