Project Description

That Sunnyside Pride is a multifaceted installation occupying three alcoves on the first floor of Sunnyside Multi-Service Center. The work was based on the collaboration of community members' archives, personal objects, stories, and the artist’s portraits of the community.   

Photographer Irene Antonia Reece spent months introducing herself to Sunnyside residents. Reece showed utmost care and sensitivity when getting to know her photographic subjects—often, they shared their private family photos. Before installation, the artist hosted a community engagement event where Sunnyside residents marked their preferences for the final images to be included in the final design. The artist’s intention behind this work was to explore, preserve, and uplift this historical Black neighborhood.  

In the artist’s words: “It is of utmost importance that this body of work showcases every aspect of Sunnyside’s authenticity. Sunnyside is Houston's culture. The country and city life run deep in the stories of this community. A community that was first built upon serving others and depending on each other. A community that organizes and mobilizes to always protect their homes. I still see the essence of that within the community--though folks move away and families pass on over time, you can't erase the soul out of this community. I take away with this quote that one community member said when I first started this project:  

“May the embers of the next generations burn so bright that it ignites and continues what we and the generation before us all started for this beautiful community.” May this work be a call and response to the continuation of giving back to a community that deserves and is more than worthy of its flowers.”