nycdot_200x100For Earth Day 2016, the Uni Project transformed a section of Broadway into an intimate place to gather around reading, drawing, and learning in the heart of Manhattan, with Union Square as a backdrop. Several blocks were made temporarily car-free for the day’s celebrations, thanks to NYC DOT. Thank you to students from Parsons School of Design and George Jackson Academy for joining us on the street. Photos below.

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

We don’t often get the chance to set up in the middle of Broadway. Photo shoot.

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Our first patron was a DOT staffer who went straight for our shelf of urban infrastructure books.

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Leslie met a group of students from Parsons School of Design who have been working with us to create new communal drawing activities.

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Draw. Together. NYC. (That’s the tag line for our new DRAW program.)

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Professor Rachel Urkowitz of Parsons School of Design.

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni portable drawing studio on Broadway for Earth Day, 2016

Uni portable drawing studio on Broadway for Earth Day, 2016

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Students from George Jackson Academy stopped by to deliver books they created for the Uni on Earth Day.

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

We’ve been working with George Jackson Academy for several years now, and Leslie showed today’s students a book of poetry created by past students. We still carry it in the Uni today.

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Uni at Earth Day 2016 NYC

Pro tip from the Uni Project: even on closed street, fire truck trumps portable reading room. Keep fire lanes clear! Thanks NYC DOT, see you next Earth Day.

Communal drawing activities at Uni DRAW, a portable drawing studio from Uni Project on Vimeo.