LOS ANGELES, CA—Today, Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND) announced the presentation of Lauren Halsey’s groundbreaking installation, sister dreamer, lauren’s halsey’s architectural ode to tha surge n splurge of south central los angeles, a monument to the community of South Central Los Angeles. sister dreamer is made possible with lead support from the Mellon Foundation's Monuments Project, an unprecedented, multi-year, $500 million commitment aimed at transforming the U.S. commemorative landscape to ensure that the nation’s collective histories are more completely and accurately represented, and is curated and co-produced by Christine Y. Kim. Open from Spring 2026 through Fall 2027, the site will feature a schedule of public programming by Summaeverythang Community Center, Halsey’s nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting the South Central community.
“sister dreamer is the dream project that I’ve been visioning, proofing, and prototyping for the past 17 years across all of my work, from El Camino Community College to The Met. I’m beyond thrilled and honored to finally present it to, and in, the community that I’m from, adore and believe in most.” —Lauren Halsey, artist
Known for immersive installations that bridge sculpture and architecture, Halsey recontextualizes and reinterprets local vernacular sources such as flyers, murals, signs, and tags—icons of pride, autonomy, initiative, and resilience. Both celebrating Black cultural expressions and archiving them, her work offers a form of creative resistance to the forces of gentrification. In addition to the signs and symbols of contemporary South Central, the artist employs the iconography of ancient Egypt as a means of reclaiming lost legacies.
“sister dreamer, lauren’s halsey’s architectural ode to tha surge n splurge of south central los angeles represents a work of art, radical architecture, and a monument to South Central Los Angeles all at once, realizing Lauren Halsey's dream of creating a park that is in, about, and for her neighborhood and community. As a curator and as co-founder of LAND, my starting point is where art and innovation intersect with wider questions about social, cultural, and historical narratives and norms, providing opportunities to expand discourse, audience, and community.
Los Angeles ranks 74th out of 100 cities on parks. According to the County Department of Parks and Recreation, it has a median of 3.3 acres of park space per 1,000 people, less than half of the 6.8 acres per 1,000 people in other high-density cities across the country, impacting neighborhoods of color the most.* sister dreamer moves us one step closer to equity in green space for art, reflection, recreation, and gathering.” — Christine Y Kim, curator and co-producer of sister dreamer
In 2006, Halsey began designing sister dreamer while studying architecture at El Camino Community College. Early prototypes of the work appeared as architectural interventions at the Studio Museum in Harlem in 2015, the Hammer Museum in 2018, and most recently as the rooftop commission at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2023. The work investigates what architecture can be and how public space can invite collective creation. Halsey always imagined sister dreamer embedded within South Central Los Angeles.
Construction has already begun on a vacant lot that is a location of personal significance to the artist. Halsey, alongside Christine Y. Kim and LAND—known for supporting artists who operate outside traditional models and are deeply embedded in their communities—have been working for the past two and a half years to realize the project at this location.
“Realizing Lauren Halsey’s vision is a dream project for LAND, representing the ultimate dedication of an artist to present work in and for their community. We are honored to be partnering with such an inspiring team of collaborators to make it happen. Lauren’s vision and the support of the Mellon Foundation establish new precedents for artistic, community-driven possibilities.” — Laura Hyatt, executive director of LAND
Once built, the site-specific installation will include:
â—Ź Courtyard featuring plantings that are native to the project site and surrounding neighborhood.
â—Ź Architecture cladded with glass fiber reinforced concrete panels.
● 8 Sphinxes and 8 Hathoric columns at both entrances featuring the artist’s personal heroes, family friends, community activists and organizers.
â—Ź Dedicated programming space for on-site film screenings, health and wellness events, community-centric celebrations, jazz nights, sport activations, lecture series, and youth-engaged programs
With sister dreamer, Halsey wanted to create a monument to the neighborhood where her family has lived for several generations and which she still calls home. This work is more than just a monument; it is forward-looking and serves as a living expression of the dynamic power of community. sister dreamer aims to inspire liberation, self-definition, community building, and economic autonomy through artmaking, paid jobs, skill-sharing, workshops and cultural programming fostering socio-cultural and economic resiliency.
“Lauren Halsey is an artist extraordinaire whose work has long expressed the powers of history, community, and place. We at Mellon are pleased to support LAND as it brings this multidisciplinary monument to Halsey’s hometown, where all can experience the flourishing and empowered collective culture held in South Central.” — Elizabeth Alexander, president of the Mellon Foundation
sister dreamer is living architecture. This vision will come to life through public engagement programs by Summaeverythang Community Center. With the intention of serving the immediate neighborhood around the park, the comprehensive schedule will include film screenings, health and wellness workshops, music performances, conversations, and youth-engaged events that provide opportunities for connection and creativity. With a commitment to accessibility, all programming at sister dreamer will be available to the public free of cost.
“Summaeverythang Community Center believes in the power of community-driven solutions, and is committed to creating inclusive spaces where individuals of all backgrounds can thrive. Our programming goes beyond traditional boundaries, with a multi-dimensional, holistic approach to personal growth and community development that empowers the whole student. From interactive art conversations to wellness workshops, Jazz nights, and educational initiatives, Summaeverythang Community Center has been paving the way for a brighter, more vibrant future since 2020. sister dreamer will act as a pilot for Summaeverything Community Center’s innovative programming while a permanent space for Summaeverything Community Center is being constructed with architect Barbara Bestor. Together, we are not just building programs; we’re building a stronger, more connected community where every voice is heard and every dream is valued.” — Diamond Jones, program director at Summaeverythang Community Center
This work is being realized by a team of Los Angeles-based partners led by design collaborative Current Interests, Taslimi Construction, and Green House, alongside Dimensional Worldwide. With lead support from the Mellon Foundation, additional fundraising is necessary and currently underway by LAND to fully realize the artist's vision.
sister dreamer is living architecture. This vision will come to life through activations and public engagement programs by Summaeverythang Community Center, led by director of programming Diamond Jones. With the intention of serving the immediate neighborhood around the park, the comprehensive schedule will include film screenings, health and wellness workshops, music performances, conversations, and youth-engaged events that provide opportunities for connection and creativity. With a commitment to accessibility, all programming at sister dreamer will be available to the public free of cost.
For updates on sister dreamer, join LAND’s mailing list and visit sisterdreamer.com.
Support sister dreamer
With lead support from the Mellon Foundation, additional fundraising is necessary and currently underway by LAND to fully realize the Lauren Halsey's vision.
Join us in making sister dreamer possible with a fully tax-deductible contribution.
Donations can be made online here.
For more information and additional donation options, please contact Christopher Mangum-James, LAND’s deputy director, at christopher@nomadicdivision.org