Events › Undesign the Redline Exhibit

Explore the history of structural racism caused by the 1938 redlining maps with this interactive exhibit. Then delve into how this inequality continues to impact our communities today, focusing on the ways in which we can come together to “undesign” these systems with intentionality.

A focus on the local impact of redlining will be provided by students from Westerville Central High School, who have worked with the Westerville History Museum to research the topic and design an additional panel presenting their findings.

• Location: Otterbein University's Stichweh Gallery 
• Address: 33 Collegeview Road, Westerville, OH
• Hours: Monday-Sunday 9am-9pm
• Reception: Sunday, November 12 from 2-4pm
  

Presented in partnership with Margaret Koehler, English Professor at Otterbein University and YWCA.

About the Exhibit

YWCA Columbus, along with several local partners, initially brought Undesign the Redline to Columbus in 2022 to complement its Activists and Agitators event, which explored the history of structural racism caused by the 1938 redlining maps -- and how this inequality continues to impact our communities today. For more than a year, it has traveled to several of Columbus' recreation centers, libraries, galleries, and universities in neighborhoods throughout Columbus, inspiring residents to learn together and work toward equitable housing solutions.

Systemic challenges today, like inequalities in housing, education, income, criminal justice, and health are far from separate issues. These challenges are rooted in a deep and entangled history of policies, practices, and processes that remain hidden and misunderstood.

Undesign the Redline explores these challenges, reframes them as opportunities, and grounds discussions about race, wealth, opportunity, and power in an honest context that is not about guilt and blame.

This allows everyone to contribute value to the design and development of new projects, partnerships, and decisions that seek to transform communities and move beyond the challenging – and often clouded – situation of our entangled past.

The Undesign the Redline exhibit travels nationally to cities, towns, and communities. It has been localized for Columbus by a committee of local experts and historians, and it will be here in 2023 so that we can learn together, activate, and mobilize into a strong “we” capable of transformation.

Learn more.