by Nijah Johnson, MuSE Class of 2018
Having a talk and walk with Nora [Diedrich] really made me realize the things that matter in a public space, such as the ramps and paths to help people with a wheelchair or other disability, and to ask questions like how can we make the space comfortable for everyone? What makes spaces recognizably public?
The NAM campus is very open and would be a beautiful spot to sit, chit chat, and chill while exploring Newport or even as a local. The people I saw walking through the campus were definitely locals but if we opened the place up more we could get tourists and new residents to feel welcome and walk through. Currently the space gives a “get off my lawn” vibe and I think the flower bushes add to the barrier.