Northside artist’s project expresses the desires of community
George Roberts sits at the bench where he met Terrance, the Computer Man, outside of Homewood Studios. Roberts would be inspired by their conversation and go on to create the “What We Want” Project. Photo by Azhae’la Hanson
By Azalea Petry Towns, North High School
It all started when Northside artist George Roberts sat on a bench outside his studio.
A man approached him and asked Roberts what the building was, so he welcomed him inside Homewood Studios and showed him his printing press.
“When I asked the man for this name, he said ‘Terrence the Computer Man.’” Roberts said.
As they were talking, the man said something that strongly resonated with Roberts: I think everyone should find something they love to do and get paid for it.
Roberts asked if he could print the quote, and it became the start of the “What We Want” project.
Roberts has spent the past 17 years working on a collection of broadside prints that showcase the voices of North Minneapolis. He named this collection the “What We Want” project, dedicated to changing the narrative of North Minneapolis.
Roberts, owner of Homewood Studios for 25 years, had been perfecting the art of letterpress printing since he received a typewriter as a child. He’d always been fascinated with the art of printing and the power of language.
“I’m dedicated to words, and I love exploring what we can say with words,” Roberts said.
He has lived on the Northside for the past 53 years and has always believed that North Minneapolis was a community just like any other. Over the years, that fact has been forgotten, Roberts said.
“North has enormous assets and a wonderful sense of community. And we just need to be recognized for that,” he said.
That was what inspired him. He wanted to change the idea of North Minneapolis in the minds of people outside of the community. The “What We Want” project is ongoing and consists of multiple quotes from Northsiders articulating their wants for the community.
“That’s what these broadsides say,” Roberts said. “I want education, I want everyday heroes. I want access to education and food.”
He says that the quotes are to give North a voice and to show others that North isn’t so different from everybody else.
Throughout the years, Roberts has been working on this, he’s finally succeeded in having it reach others outside of the community. This project caught the attention of the owner of Isles Buns and Coffee Shop, located in South Minneapolis. The owner loved the idea of the project, and Roberts’ work is currently on display there. He has a goal of showcasing his project throughout the city.
“How would I like this community to be known,” Roberts asks himself. “Like any other. We are just like any other community. That's what we want.”