“Double Up” captures three young girls playing double Dutch, two swinging the ropes while one jumps in rhythm at the center. Set against an orange backdrop reminiscent of a brick wall and a gray street beneath them, the scene places us directly in the heart of a neighborhood moment.

This piece reflects a time before distractions, when connection was physical, present, and shared. Games like double Dutch weren’t just play, they were community. They built rhythm, confidence, friendship, and belonging.

There is also a subtle nod to the era surrounding the Civil Rights Movement, a time marked by struggle, but also by unity. In the midst of hardship, joy still existed. Kids still played. Communities still found ways to connect and create light within heavy moments.

This piece lives in the Transformation section because it reflects the power of togetherness. Even during challenging times, these moments of joy, movement, and shared experience helped shape identity, resilience, and culture.

“Double Up” is a reminder that transformation isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it lives in simple moments, in laughter, in rhythm, and in the bonds that carry us through.