The Barbershop

An immersive installation reimagining the barbershop as a space for healing, reflection, and Expression

Project Overview

Erin conceptualized and created The Barbershop as a large-scale, traveling art installation centering Black men’s mental health, vulnerability, expression and community. Inspired by the cultural legacy of the barbershop—not just as a place for grooming, but as a sanctuary for storytelling, connection, release, transformation and expression— Erin reimagined the space as an immersive experience where healing meets art.

The project debuted at Burning Man 2024 and has since evolved into a platform for activation, partnership, and expansion across wellness, culture, and tech spaces.

Strategic Influence

The Barbershop was more than a build—it was a vision brought to life through creative direction, cultural insight, and collective leadership. Erin led a team of over 30 collaborators, raised $45K+, and guided the project from ideation to execution in just 4 months following a major pivot.

The installation drew over 10,000 visitors and featured curated soundscapes, healing circles, a true mirror for self-reflection, and spontaneous music jam sessions—all designed to affirm, uplift, and reframe how we see Black masculinity.


🔹 Key Questions to Explore

  • What does healing look like when it’s rooted in art and culture?

  • How can we reframe Black masculinity through art and experience?

  • How do we create environments where vulnerability is safe, celebrated, and shared?

  • How can installations become active spaces for dialogue, reflection, healing and reconnection?

  • How can brands show up in these spaces without diluting their depth?

The work

Project Type:

Immersive Installation · Creative Strategy · Experience Design · Cultural Storytelling

Roles + Services:

  • Concept Development & Creative Direction

  • Community Engagement & Programming

  • Fundraising & Brand Partnerships

  • Production Management & Team Leadership

  • Visual + Experiential Design

  • Wellness Activation & Sound Experience

  • Cultural Consulting & Brand Integration

  • Project Management

impact


10,000+ visitors throughout the week
🎤 100+ guests participated in scheduled healing circles, sound baths, and dialogue sessions
🪞 1 True Mirror installed for radical self-reflection
🎶 Live jam sessions and spontaneous activations fostered joy, release, and connection
🛠️ 40+ collaborators including fabricators, builders, designers, and artists
💰 $45,000+ raised through community donors, partners, and grants
📸 Thousands of shares and features across social platforms and media outlets
🤝 New brand partnerships forming with wellness, tech, and mental health organizations

Results

The Barbershop created a safe, soulful, and sacred experience for Black men to show up fully. It offered a blueprint for how art can become a healing container, and how intentional space-making can spark deep cultural impact. The project is now evolving into a national tour, with branded collaborations and cultural activations underway.

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