Interior Architecture Students Design and Implement Spaces for Scranton's PorchFest

Marywood University Interior Architecture students are designing two spaces in Scranton for the city’s first-ever PorchFest. The Love & Peace theme, designed and installed by Marywood University Interior Architecture Students will be on display at Wayne Evans Realty, 429 Pittston Avenue, Scranton, and at a storefront in downtown Scranton, at 343 N. Washington Avenue.

Taking place from March 20 – 28, 2021, organizers of Scranton’s first ever PorchFest planned on implementing Scranton PorchFest as an annual event each March. This special project from Scranton Fringe was inspired by the “house floats” in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. There were more than 100 porches, front yards, and storefronts decorated as “floats” with creative themes of the owners’ choosing, so people can enjoy a safe tour around the city. Scranton PorchFest is a city-wide event centered on community.

Mr. Wayne Evans chose the theme of Love & Peace for his South Scranton business. As interior architecture students decorated the space, Mr. Evans said, “I had no idea how nice the decorations would be. This is so great—thank you.”

Marywood University’s interior architecture students applied for $500 from the University’s Student Government Association (SGA). With funds secured, students purchased decorations for the two spaces that they are decorating in Scranton. The senior interior architecture students became involved in the project through their Community Studio class, under the direction of Maria MacDonald, instructor of practice, interior architecture, and executive director of The Center for the Living City.

This citywide initiative is a pilot program that is centered around the concept of “open access.” Anyone can register to create their own display, and Scranton PorchFest will promote and support it.