I turned my Manhattan stoop into an art project. It brought my neighborhood together.

Kristi Hemric's stoop is a hit with neighbors and strangers. Courtesy of Kristi Hemric Kristi Hemric began decorating her Manhattan stoop after scaffolding covered her townhouse. Her changing displays have featured Lego, the Knicks, flowers, and interactive installations. She says the project unexpectedly created connections throughout her neighborhood. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kristi Hemric. It has been edited for length and clarity. I had always dreamed of…