Marksearch: Social Practice Art | Sue Mark (Fall Colloquium)

Commons Archive: Developing a Neighborhood Literacy

“Commons Archive is a historical preservation program that re-thinks the archive as a place of privilege and de-colonizes our thinking about what’s worth preserving.”

–Susan D. Anderson
History Curator & Program Manager,‎California African American Museum

Oakland-based cultural researcher Sue Mark will unpack strategies and questions surrounding Commons Archive, a creative grassroots history project she launched in 2015. Centered at North Oakland’s Golden Gate Library, Commons Archive has been providing platforms for longtime and new neighbors to narrate, describe and share their many histories.  In 2010, Black neighbors were just under half of North Oakland’s population; eight years later, only a quarter of residents were Black.  Today, the numbers are even lower. Commons Archive’s interactive format preserves neighbor knowledge that, if undocumented, will disappear.

In collaboration with North Oakland, CA groups and organizations Commons Archives connects neighbors through stories, shared resources and celebrations. Commons Archive invites neighbors from all walks of life to express, sing, dance, read and listen to the multilayered stories that continue to shape these neighborhoods. By embracing traditional block club hospitality, Commons Archive supports community resiliency. 

Biography:

Cultural researcher, literacy educator and artist Sue Mark, a long-time North Oakland neighbor, has a keen interest in over-looked stories.  As part of the marksearch team, she designs ways for people to share their stories for empowerment and preservation. With conversation as her primary tool, she develops interactive projects that make space for social memory. Through strategies like neighbor-led walking discussions, community celebrations, skill-sharing workshops, interactive story-telling and published community scholarship, we center the voices and expertise of everyday people. 

‘marksearch’ is honored to be fellows at Berkeley’s Kala Art Institute (2014-2022) and with the US Japan Friendship Commission (2019-2021). ‘marksearch’ has received generous support from many foundations including: The Fulbright Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, The Creative Work Fund, The Kenneth Rainin Foundation, Oakland’s Cultural Funding Program, and The California Humanities.

Future Histories Lab offers community-engaged, project-based courses. Dig into hidden local histories and envision better futures in our exciting courses focused on social justice, race, place, and the arts. Take just three courses (in summer or other times) and earn a Certificate in Urban Humanities.