New York, NY… Harlem will host its first large-scale sculpture exhibition in Spring, 2024. The historic parks Morningside, St. Nicholas, and Jackie Robinson have been selected to be the featured sites for these works.
Harlem Sculpture Gardens will be led by the West Harlem Art Fund and New York Artist Equity Association. They will work collaboratively with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, local community boards and neighborhood groups.
“Harlem Sculpture Gardens will be an incredible celebration of Harlem’s rich history of sculpture, local artists of colors, and neighborhood parks, all while making art more accessible,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “I’m confident that this expansive, multimedia initiative will ignite Manhattanites’ passion for art and a commitment to stewarding Harlem’s parks. I can’t wait to visit the Gardens next spring and experience what the artists have created.”
The team will also partner with the online app STQRY (formerly OnCell) to realize online tours and sound walks. STQRY is a storytelling platform that helps visitors explore further, engage deeper, and discover more. Users can choose from a range of amazing features to create location-based tours, virtual tours, mobile, and web apps, audio guides, games, and online collections.
Artists of color from Harlem and neighboring areas can submit proposals as individuals or teams in an open call this June for public art, dance and sound art. With the assistance of an established Advisory Committee comprised of key art professionals, final recommendations will be made to the City this fall.
According to Savona Bailey-McClain, Executive Director, West Harlem Art Fund “ Harlem has had many great sculptors who have lived here. From Charles Alston, Augusta Savage, Richmond Barthé to most recently Valerie Maynard who died in 2022. Harlem Sculpture Gardens helps to expand that tradition with new artists engaged in fresh thoughts and perspective.”
Michael Gormley, Executive Director of New York Artists Equity (NYAE) adds that, “since 1947 NYAE has supported the professional aspirations of emerging artists from underserved communities via exhibition opportunities, funding and education. NYAE’s public art practice, recently funded by NYSCA, expands upon this tradition of diversifying access to the arts by staging projects in the community for the community hence re-positioning art and uniting makers and viewers as inclusive and collaborating change agents for the greater good.
At the heart of Harlem Sculpture Gardens lies a park stewardship and mentorship component. Local groups will learn how to care for trees, soil rejuvenation and maintenance planning. Local youths will work alongside established artists as assistants. Selection committees will be formed to allow the public to rank submitted proposals.
Calder Zwicky, Executive Director of Artistic Noise shared, “Artistic Noise is excited to connect our community of young artists to the upcoming Harlem Sculpture Walk. Working with system-impacted youth and their families, we recognize the need for visibility and believe that projects like these help give voice to everyone, no matter their specific economic, educational, or living situations.”
Partnership Development & Internship Liaison Yule Adams also shared “exalt elevates expectations of personal success for youth ages 15-19 who’ve been involved in the criminal justice system. We inspire youth at a critical crossroads to believe in their worth, from the first steps in contemplation through the journey to create lasting behavioral change. At exalt, we empower youth to see a future filled with hope – and we provide the road map to get there.”
Sook Nyu Lee Kim, President and Founder of AHL Foundation, Inc., stated, ‘Since 2003, we have been promoting the work of emerging artists of Korean descent in the United States through exhibitions, informative programs, and community engagement. Last year, we found our new exhibition space in Harlem and launched the annual project “Space Uptown,” showcasing artistic practices that reflect the local neighborhood for creative collaboration. Joining Harlem Sculpture Gardens is truly inspiring as it reinforces our belief in the power of collaboration. We aim to provide an accessible and inclusive platform for the solidarity of the BIPOC community, fostering vibrant artistic, cultural, and educational activities.”
Organizing Committee
West Harlem Art Fund
NY Artist Equity Association
AHL Foundation
Advisory Committee
Nadema Agard – Artist
Cecilia Alemani – Curator
Chakaia Booker – Artist/Sculptor
Projjal Dutta – Architect/Gallerist
Eva Mayhabal Davis – Curator
Carl Fudge – Artist/Printmaker
Matthew William Goodheart – Musician/Composer/Sound Artist
Kendal Henry – Curator/Arts Administrator
Paul Kozel – Sound Artist/Arts Administrator
Luis Pagan – Artist
Debra Priestly – Artist/Sculptor
Tiffany Rea-Fisher – Dancer/Choreographer
Alec Rovensky – Architect
Ki Smith – Gallerist
Mame Diarra Speis – Dancer/Choreographer
Local Partners
Office of the Manhattan Borough President
Office of State Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell
Office of State Assemblyman Al Taylor
Office of Councilman Shaun Abreu
Dorrence Brooks Historic District
West 135th Street ApartmentsTenant Association, Inc.
Columbia University, Office of Governmental and Community Affairs
Youth Partners
Artistic Noise
Exalt
Street Corner Resources
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