First Friday Reception | October 2, 5–8 pm
Building Compassion transforms simple cardboard cubes into an immersive community installation that demonstrates how compassion begins with seeing. Developed by St. Margaret’s House in partnership with designer Emma Brooks, the exhibition features words, artwork, and stories from the guests, volunteers, and broader community of St. Margaret’s House.
Just as no one side of a cube reveals its entire story, no single lens captures the full depth of the human experience. Through Building Compassion, St. Margaret’s House invites visitors to slow down, look closely, and see our community through a new lens.
Emma Brooks is an MFA candidate in Visual Communication Design at the University of Notre Dame. Her research explores participatory design as a tool for social impact and the role of the designer in creating conditions for communities to shape, make, and imagine together. Building Compassion was inspired by artist Corita Kent’s collaborative 1965 installation which transformed cardboard boxes into a powerful message of peace.
St. Margaret’s House is a day center in South Bend, IN, that improves the lives of women and children by providing individual attention to basic needs, advocacy, and a supportive community. By honoring the dignity of each individual, St. Margaret’s House serves as a beacon of hope and compassion in the region.
