Holloway House
Nature Playspace
Mixed Media Sculpture
SonoTubes, Paint, Artificial Leaves
11 x 16 x 20 feet
Cincinnati, Ohio
2023
"Nature Playspace" transforms a front room into a vibrant refuge of forests, animals, and color, offering homeless teen parents and their kids a calming, imaginative space and library. Interactive elements, books, and nurturing design foster connection, creativity, and emotional healing. NKU students, led by Associate Art Professor Brad McCombs transformed the new Holloway House with a nature-inspired library and play area for homeless teen parents and their children. The “Harmony in Nature” space combines safe, engaging play, interactive installations, and cozy reading nooks to foster early childhood development, connection, and joy. This project demonstrates NKU’s innovative approach to experiential learning, public-private partnerships, and community-centered design, an inspiring example of how thoughtful public art can create lasting social impact.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Holloway House Project, Cincinnati, Ohio
NKU students, led by Associate Art Professor Brad McCombs designed and installed “Nature Playspace,” a transformative library and play area for homeless teen parents and their children at the Holloway House and Resource Center. The project demonstrates how public art can be both functional and socially impactful, creating a safe, engaging, and joyful environment for vulnerable populations.
The space features age-appropriate books, interactive installations, and cozy reading nooks, promoting early childhood development, parent-child bonding, and community connection. Nature-inspired and multicultural design elements bring creativity, cultural competence, and a therapeutic quality to the space, reflecting the power of art to inspire and heal.
Built with durable, high-quality materials, the installation is ideal for high-use public spaces, ensuring long-term value and continued engagement for residents. The project exemplifies how thoughtful design can combine aesthetics, functionality, and social impact in a sustainable, lasting way.
Why This Project Matters for Public Art Commissions:
Community-Centered Design: Addresses the needs of homeless teen parents and their children, creating a welcoming, functional, and inspiring environment.
Experiential Learning & Innovation: Students gained hands-on experience in art, design, and project management, demonstrating a commitment to education-driven public art.
Durability & Longevity: Materials and construction were selected for long-term performance in public use environments.
Collaborative Impact: A model of successful public-private partnership, leveraging university expertise and community engagement to create meaningful social impact.
“Harmony in Nature” stands as an example of how public art can enrich communities, elevate public spaces, and leave a lasting positive impact, making it an ideal model for future opportunities and commissioned projects.
Press: The Northerner - Levi’s Learning Area at the Holloway House