Lesson 3:
Creating Inclusive Quiet Spaces

Creating Safe Harbors: Design for Inclusive Silence

Faith Ringgold's "Dancing on the George Washington Bridge" demonstrates how creative spaces can transform ordinary environments into havens of self-expression and belonging. Through vibrant colors and expressive figures dancing across an unlikely location—a bridge—Ringgold shows us how intentional design can create inclusive spaces where everyone feels free to be themselves.

Notice how Ringgold uses bold patterns, vibrant colors, and quilted texture to transform a rigid structure into a place of joyful expression. These visual elements parallel our classroom challenge: how can we convert standard spaces into inclusive quiet areas that work for diverse students? The quilt format itself represents how different pieces come together to create something stronger and more beautiful than individual elements alone.

Created in the 1980s, this work exemplifies Ringgold's revolutionary approach to combining African American storytelling traditions with fine art practices. As a Black woman artist, she pioneered new ways to claim space in a predominantly white art world.

This artwork connects to our daily experience of environments. Think about spaces where you feel comfortable being quiet versus places where silence feels awkward or impossible. Just as Ringgold reimagined a bridge as a dance floor, we can transform ordinary spaces to support different silence needs.

Key takeaways: 

• Physical environments significantly impact our ability to be comfortably quiet

• Inclusive spaces must accommodate different silence preferences and needs

• Thoughtful design removes barriers to participation for everyone

As we develop guidelines for creating inclusive quiet spaces today, remember Ringgold's lesson: with creativity and purpose, any environment can be transformed to welcome everyone.