Amy Fichter uses her iPhone and an antique twin lens reflex camera to capture surprising images of Main Streets throughout Wisconsin.

Her exploration, inspired by Mapping Main Street, has given her new insight into her own art and community: “Through working on this project I have learned more about who my neighbors are, what they care about, and how they identify themselves.  I have learned about the history of these people and places.  I have been surprised at the treasures I find.”

Her show opens at the Lake Pepin Art & Design Center on Saturday, February 6 and runs through March 27.

We just finished a workshop with WNYC’s Radio Rookies Short Wave program in Flushing, Queens, NY. High school students from East-West School of International Studies and the Frank Sinatra High School for the Performing Arts created four portraits of Main Street – from memories of the “Flushing Pimp” to the search for the perfect steam bun.

Jesse and Kara caught up with Urban Omnibus to talk about how Mapping Main Street got started and the possibilities of using collaborative documentary as a tool for urban planning. Urban Omnibus is a dynamic website connecting journalists, architects, planners, designers, artist, activists, scholars and citizens all seeking to create a new kind of conversation about design and New York City.

See how the creative gears came together to bring Mapping Main Street to life, as Kara, Jesse and James share their insights and inspirations at the Berkman Center for Internet & Society lunch seminar.