Hi, my name is James Shields, and I'm the artist behind the Watermelon Couch — a traveling public art project that blends storytelling, joy, and cultural memory.

I’m raising funds to support Season 3 of the Watermelon Couch Road Trip, which completes a three-year journey retracing the Great Migration routes through art and community engagement. This summer, I’ll be traveling through the Midwest, wrapping up a trilogy of trips that have already covered the South, West Coast, and East Coast.

Your support will help cover:

• Travel costs and logistics to complete this final leg of the journey

• Outstanding bills and expenses from last year’s trip

• Hiring a video editor to help share the powerful stories and footage we've gathered

Building out the Watermelon Couch program to reach more communities and deepen its impact

This project is a labor of love rooted in Black history, creativity, and connection. Every dollar helps keep this vision alive and moving. Thank you for riding with me.

Season 2 kickoff

Season 1 Recap