Sense of Place

Sense of Place

Jersey Junction-Ice Cream Parlor

A concentration on place. Effectively representing a place's feeling, atmosphere and mood.

Artist Statement

Sense of Place

The term sense of place has been defined and utilized in different ways by different people. To some, it is the characteristics that some geographic places have and some do not. To others it is a feeling or perception held by people and not by the place itself. It is this sense of place that communicates characteristics that make a place special or unique, evoking feelings of authentic human attachment and belonging.

The location that I chose to place my focus on is the ice cream parlor, Jersey Junction, in East Grand Rapids’ Gaslight Village. For the past five decades, this sweet gem has been treating customers to some of the tastiest ice creams and desserts. As the story goes, the building's unique design, resembling an old-fashioned railroad station inspired the name. Renovated to look much as it did when it opened in October of 1963, the old-fashioned parlor and candy store features display cabinets and shelves packed with children’s favorite candies. The 28-flavor selection has some ice creams that are unique to the ice cream parlor and they are especially known for their old-fashioned waffle cones. Jersey Junction has a true sense of place. A part of its appeal is that to enter is to step back in time and place.