Series 8: Waterfront series, 2017

In this interview, Roberta Davenport (1951-) discusses her childhood and life in Farragut, including her father's work at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, her experiences working with children from a young age, and her education. Davenport describes her experiences at St. Joseph's Children's Services, PS 11, the development of her teaching philosophy, her involvement with the Waterside School in Stamford, CT, and her return to Farragut to become Principal at PS 307. At PS 307, she spearheaded a transformation of the school, strengthening academic programs and support for the children, including introducing involvement with local arts organizations. Interview conducted by Julie Golia.

During the interview, Crane Davis (1945-) describes growing up in New York City and returning as an adult. Davis discusses his involvement in the Vietnam War as a Marine Corps officer, reporting on gay and lesbian communities prior to the AIDS epidemic, and his experience organizing loft tenants and manufacturers at DUMBO in the 1970s and 1980s. Interview conducted by Sady Sullivan.

In this interview, Diana Reyna (1973-) talks about her childhood in Los Sures, Williamsburg, her community's connection to the waterfront, and her parents' work in the industrial waterfront area. She discusses the changes that took place in her neighborhood and her family's reluctant transition to Bushwick, her initial work in local politics, her approach to government, and the issues she focused on in campaigning for New York City Council. Reyna describes the way the development of the waterfront has changed, the communities that are affected by these changes, and her hopes for the future. Interview conducted by Svetlana Kitto.

In the interview, Sienna Shields (1976-) describes her journey from Alaska to Brooklyn as well as her experiences living in the DUMBA collective, working as an artist in New York City, and forming relationships as a queer woman in the early 2000s until DUMBA's eviction from Brooklyn. Shields also discusses the effects of gentrification in Dumbo and the filming of Shortbus at DUMBA. Interview conducted by Svetlana Kitto.

In this interview, Carol Sun (1958-) talks about her childhood experiences growing up in the Bronx in the '50s and '60s in a neighborhood where there were not many families with a Chinese heritage. She also recalls the gender dynamics in her family and her choice to become a dancer and artist rather than pursue STEM fields. Sun describes walking around the neighborhood that is now known as DUMBO in the 1970s looking for artist-occupied buildings. She describes marrying her husband at Barge Music, in the very early days of its existence, because she was friends with the founder, Olga Bloom. Sun describes three waves of development and change in DUMBO that she has witnessed in her 38 years there. She recalls how Crane and Monte Davis organized tenants in DUMBO and how their building tenants were eventually able to buy their building from city with the help of City Council member Kenneth K. Fisher and a lawyer Jed Marcus. Sun talks about how her art is inspired by place and narrative and she describes several projects inspired by her DUMBO neighborhood. Interview conducted by Sady Sullivan.

In this interview, David Walentas (1938-) and Jane Zimmerman Walentas (1944-2020) describe their contrasting childhoods, their college years, their first meeting, and their later life together growing their real estate company. They also discuss raising their son, Jed, who now runs Two Trees. Jane Walentas describes her early career in fashion and cosmetic advertising in Italy and New York. David Walentas describes his work and travel in Europe, his previous marriage, and dealing with various groups in Brooklyn. Interview conducted by Julie Golia.