Associate Director of Activations for Downtown Vision, Inc. Phoebe is responsible for ArtWalk, held the first Wednesday of every month.

“A lot of the reason why I love working downtown is because my mom was the Executive Chef of Café Nola, the restaurant inside MOCA. My grandma would get off work, race to come pick us up and take us to the Park. On a hot day, I remember just wanting to sit by the fountain and feel the cold water on my hands and people watching. She would take us on the Skyway, from one end to the other, and it was packed full of people actually using it.

I absolutely think there’s a direct connection between my experience growing up and the work I do for Downtown Vision.

If I had to choose one favorite [event] – it would be November Art Walk with Dia de los Muertos. It’s just so vibrant. The altars are my favorite. There are candles, flowers, pictures of loved ones. You can just tell someone puts their heart and soul into these, and these are for real family members that have passed. It’s such a beautiful tradition. The performers – dancers, singers. Food is amazing.

Even JSO – that’s their favorite month to work. Every October they’re like, ‘Is it Dia de los Muertos this month or next?’

I also got to meet the Mexican consulate. He was visiting and he made a speech to the audience. He did his speech in Spanish and then, for us English speakers. He mentioned, ‘Look at this beautiful gathering of people here,’ and thanked our team for continuing to put it on. It was his first official appearance since becoming consulate. I was so honored by that, and we got a picture with him. Cesar and his team made sure to have us there for that moment.”

Photos by Toni Smailagic