OCTOBER 2025

Alum Corner: Alejandra Saker (MFA Design for Social Innovation ’24) Reflects on the Living Legend Exhibit

“This exhibition reconsiders one of New York City’s most mythologized infrastructures: the Cross Bronx Expressway, through the lens of the communities who live alongside it. Living Legend centers the everyday lives, resilience, and imaginations of Bronx residents who continue to shape the corridor’s future.” 

Over the weekend, I visited the Bronx River Art Center for the exhibition Cross Bronx / Living Legend, which reimagines the Cross Bronx Expressway through community voices. It was deeply meaningful to see some of my communication design work featured as part of this thoughtful and powerful show.

As part of the Communication Design class at MFA Design for Social Innovation, we (Madhuri Rao & Bhavya Chaudhary) collaborated with Loving the Bronx and incredible Nilka Martell to create educational and communication materials that make complex infrastructure conversations more accessible and community-driven. Seeing this work included in such a thoughtful exhibition is a reminder that equitable design begins by listening—to residents, to history, and to place.

I encourage you to visit and witness how storytelling and design come together to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and collective hope that defines the Bronx.

📍Bronx River Art Center – (1087 East Tremont Ave)
📆 On view through November 9, 2025

WRITTEN BY and PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALEJANDRA SAKER (MFA DSI ’24)