Good Fences Make Good Neighbors: A Wall of Voices, Not Barriers

Earlier this month, Gallery 5 was transformed into a vibrant space for creativity, community, and conversation with the exhibit Good Fences Make Good Neighbors: A Community Art Build. Presented in partnership with Mending Walls, this unique exhibition invited Richmonders to rethink the walls we build—not as barriers, but as bridges.

Inspired by Robert Frost’s poem Mending Wall, the exhibit flipped the script on the famous line, “Good fences make good neighbors,” and asked:
What if a wall wasn’t about division, but about connection and change?

Instead of wood, stone or concrete, this wall was constructed from three-dimensional cardboard “bricks,” distributed across the city to serve as canvases for voices, hopes, and ideas. Richmonders from all walks of life came together to create, reflect, and contribute—each brick becoming part of a collective wall that challenged division and celebrated unity.

Building Community, One Brick at a Time

What made this exhibition so powerful were the deeply personal contributions from local artists and community members. Each brick told a story, offering a window into the diverse experiences, emotions, and perspectives that make up our city.

Here are just a few of the voices that helped shape this wall of connection:

Tracy Councill — "Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters"

Artist and art therapist Tracy Councill, Program Director at Tracy’s Kids Art Therapy, contributed a brick layered with environmental and social meaning:

“My ‘brick’ is covered with two hand-pulled block prints. The prints depict the rejuvenated James River here in Richmond, boasting the return of the native Sturgeon, Cormorants, and Great Blue Herons. The inscription at the top of the print is a quote from the Biblical prophet Amos, ‘Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everlasting stream.’

The restoration of the natural environment creates opportunities for all life to flourish, humans included.”

An edition of 100 prints was created as a fundraiser for the Church of the Holy Comforter, Episcopal, in Richmond.

Tracy Councill’s hand-pulled block prints swirl with images of the James River, native sturgeon, cormorants, great blue herons taking flight. At the top, a line from Amos ripples like water: “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everlasting stream.”
Tracy explains, almost like a gentle reminder, how the river’s restoration creates space for all life to flourish—humans included.

Lizzie Brown — "An Embrace Speaks Louder"

Artist Lizzie Brown shared a simple yet profound message with her piece:

“An Embrace Speaks Louder is an acknowledgment of the age-old idiom, ‘Actions speak louder than words.’ It is an outward expression of acceptance and willingness to change and/or ignite change. As we choose to come together, recognize our humanity, and put action behind our words, true change can happen.”

Lizzie Brown’s message doesn’t need a caption: An Embrace Speaks Louder.
It's a reminder that change doesn’t come from talking about it, but by showing up, recognizing each other’s humanity, and acting on it.

Mars — "A Harsh Reflection of Reality"

Local artist Mars used his brick to address immigrant struggles, drawing from personal experience as a first-generation American:

“My piece is a reflection of the harsh reality that immigrant families face—stories often overlooked or manipulated by the media. America prides itself on being a nation of opportunity, yet it turns a blind eye to the truth and forgets that its foundation was built by immigrants. Like vultures, it preys on immigrants, taking their labor and culture, only to discard them when they are no longer convenient.

As someone born to parents who fled war in El Salvador, I feel a deep responsibility to shed light on these tragedies. My piece is a wake-up call—a demand to acknowledge the truth.”

Mars’ piece forces you to stop.
“It’s a reflection of the reality immigrant families face,” he says.
Stories manipulated, labor exploited, culture consumed—then discarded.

Mars, whose parents fled war in El Salvador, doesn’t soften the message. His brick is a demand to face the truth America often ignores.

Ellyn Parker — "Share Your Flowers"

Visual and social practice artist Ellyn Parker created a living arrangement of dried and live plants cascading from her brick, inspired by a heartfelt email from her late mother:

“It felt like a powerful message of ‘mom wisdom’ coming through to remind me to share love and hope in challenging times. Her message to share our flowers, and to take time to listen and support others—that ultimately will help you feel better—felt like the perfect message I wanted to share.”

Her mother’s words, shared in an email, became a symbolic foundation for the piece, honoring small acts of kindness and connection.

Paul Lee — "Big Bad Beautiful Bipolar Brain"

Artist Paul Lee brought his experience with bipolar disorder to life in a sculptural piece made from cardboard, colored paper, and acrylics:

“I have created this brick to illustrate the energy of the condition. I often try to explain what the electricity is like that courses through my brain when I’m manic, and this is a sculptural representation. The various pieces of colored paper rising from the brain are the thoughts and energy emanations during a manic episode.”

Another brick pulls you in—layered textures of collage, subtle but pointed.

Rian L. Moses' piece

Space Gate Keepers, speaks to what’s often missing in plain sight:

“Green spaces in Richmond were systematically taken from communities of color through redlining, leaving predominantly Black, Brown, and low-income neighborhoods without access to nature.

Wealthier, predominantly white areas were given lush parks, while marginalized communities were left without shade, beauty, or the health benefits nature brings.

These neighborhoods shouldn’t have to beg for green spaces—they deserve them by right. Restoring these spaces is an issue of justice, not charity. Everyone deserves the chance to thrive in a healthy, green environment.”

Her brick doesn’t whisper. It presses the question: Who gets to access beauty, health, and space—and why?

Diana Cole — "A Tribute to Mending Walls"

Artist Diana approached her brick as a tribute to Mending Walls itself:

“I watched the Mending Walls video and was so moved. I ‘stole’ images from the murals (Picasso said this is allowed) to decorate my brick as a tribute to the visionary project.

By gluing a current newspaper on the first layer, my thought was ‘this is now.’ But by covering it with mural images, I wanted to hold on to the hope that the project gives.”

A Wall Built to Bring Us Together

By the time you reach the end of the wall, you realize—it’s impossible to view it from a distance. You have to lean in. To read, listen, trace the textures with your eyes. Each brick is its own universe, but together, they hold something bigger: a story about Richmond, communities beyond RVA, and about all of us.

Though the exhibit has come down, the conversations it sparked continue. And this won’t be the last wall we build—not to divide, but to connect. We’re already looking forward to collaborating with Gallery 5 again soon.

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