The Downtown Committee launched the Utility Box Art Project in 2024. The committee needs artists to paint three more utility boxes in 2025.
Yolanda Stewart
Yolanda Stewart was raised in the Bronx, New York City. Before choosing a career path in journalism she found a voice in writing plays, short stories, and a myriad of other creative outlets. She is a 2022 alumnae of Syracuse University's Newhouse graduate program. Yolanda was hired as the arts and culture reporter in January 2023; since then, she has continued to integrate herself into the Syracuse community. Her coverage focus area spans an array of topics that highlight Syracuse's culture through storytelling. Yolanda has covered a host of events, art galleries, plays, written profile stories about Syracusans, and important community-wide issues.
She can be reached at ystewart@centralcurrent.org.
Posted inJustice & Equity
How Project Mend is helping formerly incarcerated people and their families tell their stories
Project Mend was started by Syracuse University professor Patrick Berry, whose own family member’s incarceration prompted him to help incarcerated people tell their stories.
Posted inNews
Poets, singers and orators come together at CFAC’s ‘Snaps & Taps’
The Community Folk Art Center has run ‘Snaps & Taps’ for about three years. The next ‘Snaps & Taps’ will take place March 26 at 6 p.m. at CFAC.
Posted inLocal Artists
How Marion Rodriguez helps women coming home from prison with a tote bag
Marion Rodriguez took up sewing during the pandemic and putting designs on tote bags. Rodriguez, formerly incarcerated, now gifts her tote bags to women coming home from prison.
Posted inLocal Artists
F.I.R.E. Festival brings CNY’s women musicians to the forefront
The fourth iteration of F.I.R.E. Festival will take place March 9 at ONCO Fermentations.
Posted inInterstate 81
Syracuse residents talk redlining and how to not repeat mistakes of the past
While a panel put together by the Syracuse/Onondaga NAACP discussed the effects or redlining, it also discussed how to not reinforce or repeat effects of the policy.
Posted inLocal Artists
Syracuse’s newest art gallery to show 1st exhibit
The gallery is run by Laura Heyman and Miesha Shih, who have long been involved in Syracuse’s art scene.
Posted inJustice & Equity
Syracuse community members rally to talk federal, corporate DEI rollbacks
The “Unity in Action” event was hosted by Victoria Coit and Indaria Jones.
Posted inLocal Artists
CFAC’s latest exhibit ‘This Woman’s Work’ explores the legacies of prominent Black women in CNY
The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 28 and features 13 local artists.
Posted inHousing
Central New York Community Foundation, LeadSafeCNY to put $400K toward fighting lead crisis
The funding will create a social care navigator position for LeadSafeCNY and was provided by the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.