Downtown FabWorks Portfolio | The Principal's Office

project
description

The Tate, Etienne, and Prevost (TEP) Interpretive Center commissioned a permanent exhibit inside the historic McDonogh 19 Elementary School to honor the McDonogh Three—six-year-old civil rights pioneers who desegregated the school in 1960. Titled “The Principal’s Office,” the exhibit traces the path the girls walked past jeering crowds and into history on their first day of school.

the
challenge

TEP Center needed to transform part of a historic school building into an immersive storytelling environment that would make a nationally significant, yet under-recognized, civil rights story emotionally tangible. The exhibit required museum-quality durability and sensitivity to the gravity of the space while remaining engaging for learners of all ages. The solution had to honor the lived experiences of the McDonogh Three without overwhelming visitors—balancing historical weight with thoughtful, experiential design.

description

Downtown FabWorks partnered with TEP Center to execute comprehensive museum exhibit fabrication that brought the story to life through physical space. Working from the conceptual design developed by G&A, our team fabricated and installed exterior banners, interior narrative panels, glass window graphics featuring historic headlines and imagery, and a permanent wall installation introducing Leona Tate, Gail Etienne, and Tessie Prevost. Every fabricated component was designed for durability, clarity, and impact, ensuring the exhibit will serve thousands of visitors each year while preserving the integrity of the historic 1929 building.

Ryan McDonald

Senior Creative Producer, RED VELVET

Downtown FabWorks was a standout partner for our brand activation at Tales of the Cocktail. From the start, their team was collaborative, communicative, and deeply invested in bringing our vision to life with smart tech integration and seamless execution. Their onsite crew was not only skilled, but also incredibly friendly and easy to work with, making install a breeze. The final result was high-quality, on-brand, and a true showstopper.

Jordan Schwartz

Owner, Primetime Innovations

A+ job and A++ team. Every single crew member was extremely helpful, very respectful to all on site, and willing to help wherever and however without any complaints. Amazing group…next project, I am going to request that exact crew! Thank you. You killed it.

Paul Utterback

Business Development, Crystal Clear Imaging

A model company for design and fabrication. If you can dream it, Downtown FabWorks can do it.

Mike Cassesi

Owner, CASSESI Commercial Construction

Dan and his team are true professionals who are in a league of their own. When it comes to creativity, quality, and skill, Downtown FabWorks is a company that we know we can trust. Dan is down-to-earth, responsive, hardworking, and a true pleasure to work with every time.

Scott Beelman

Partner, Katapult Events

In the world of live events—where things often change on a whim—it's great to have a fabrication partner who understands our business and exceeds our expectations every single time.

Irina Gusin

Independent Exhibitions Producer

Dan and his team at Downtown FabWorks were able to fully produce and execute a large-scale structure thoughtfully and in record time when my project's deadline was threatened by Hurricane Ida. I couldn't be more appreciative of Dan's professionalism and hard work during a very stressful and uncertain time. Dan and his team were a joy to work with!

Kristen Kain

Owner, Kristen Kain: Marketing + Events

Downtown FabWorks is a great group to work with on any event project. They are experienced in all things related to scenic fabrication and installation, and they are flexible and accommodating as the needs of the project are developing. Having a reliable scenic partner is crucial to the success of the project—and Downtown FabWorks does not disappoint.

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