Bring What You Carry is a public art and community engagement project that tells stories through objects. It was created in 2026 for the Great Stage at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, Maryland. The project invites residents to contribute a 15-inch by 24-inch object that represents care, curiosity, or belonging. These objects are transformed through vacuum forming into sculptural impressions that will later become part of a large-scale, tile, relief mural. This project centers on the idea that individual experiences and memories can contribute to a shared public artwork. Our goal is to facilitate meaningful co-creation through at least 50 object contributions and documented participant stories that reflect the diverse voices of the community.

The digital archive ensures that the stories behind each contributed object remain accessible long after the mural is completed. While the physical artwork preserves the impressions of community objects, the archive preserves the memories, reflections, and personal narratives connected to them. Each catalogued entry includes photographs, participant quotes, and process documentation, allowing online visitors to explore the people and stories that shaped the artwork. By Fall 2026, the archive will provide public access to at least 50 documented contributions, extending the project's impact beyond the mural itself and creating a lasting record of the Germantown community participation.