As part of the Jacob Lawrence exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art (M0MA), a special guided walking tour of Jacob Lawrence's Harlem was arranged. When I got the e-mail, I immediately signed up.
The day began at the Studio Museum in Harlem. It's one of those museums that I've been meaning to go to forever, but never seem to actually make it to. Two of the curators took us around and I was very impressed by their mission.
Essentially, the "studio" in their name is a real and vital cornerstone of what they do. Each year three emerging (and it's exciting that they're emerging, not super established) artists are given a stipend and studio space in the museum. At the end of the year, they have an exhibit (often their first museum exhibit) and the museum makes an effort to purchase some of the work (often the artist's first purchase by a museum). They look at the residency as a launching pad. I think that's so fantastic! It's wonderful to think of a museum as a living and breathing organization actively working to encourage emerging artists rather than a moldy rarified receptacle for established work.
The museum is small, but packed. It makes for an easy viewing experience. Here is a little bit of what I saw — I tried to include both far away and close-up the photos. The experience of viewing art in-person is so much about scale and texture:
After the museum, we headed to Red Rooster for lunch.
I had been there a few times before, and the food was as excellent as I remembered! We had to choose from a menu the organizer of the tour had put together and nothing that I ordered is something I would have usually gone for, but it was all totally delicious: hush puppies, pork chop, and donuts (with a donated chunk of chocolate peanut butter pie from someone else's plate)!
After stuffing myself with donuts and chocolate (tough life, right?) we walked through the neighborhood with our guide chatting about points of interest such as the building that is believed to be Jacob Lawrence's art studio, the location where he picked up his WPA checks, etc. After about ten blocks, we reached the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
No photos allowed in the Schomburg Center. However, I did learn that the majority of Langston Hughes' ashes are buried in the Schomburg Center. He was cremated and some of his ashes were distributed in various rivers across America. However, the majority of his ashes were buried under the Schomburg Center. There's a lovely floor mosaic commemorating the event.
Finally, a small group of us visited the restored WPA murals at the Harlem Hospital. I mentioned the WPA earlier. Part of what the WPA did was pay artists to create public art. What a wonderful thing for the makers and the viewers! Over the years, the WPA murals have not always fared well. The ones at the Harlem Hospital were damaged by steam, plastered over, and otherwise decimated by time. Recently they were restored and moved to a "murals pavilion." It was a little bit weird because they were in a locked room we had to have a reservation to access — weird, because they were created under the WPA as art for all to see — but I understand the need to preserve them. Take a peek:
It was a really interesting day. I got to see lots of art, visit new places, learn, chat with some interesting art-interested folks, and eat yummy food! I highly recommend a trip to Harlem, if you're in the NYC area. You can go on a self-guided audio tour of Jacob Lawrence's Harlem via this website.
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing your tour with us.
Quite the variety.
Thanks for sharing your tour with us.
Quite the variety.
Thanks for sharing your tour with us.
Quite the variety.
Thanks for sharing your tour with us.
Quite the variety.
Thanks for sharing your tour with us.
Quite the variety.
Thanks for sharing your tour with us.
Quite the variety.
LOVE this post, Julie! I love hearing about new artsy things around the city. I am making a list of all of the things that I want to check out.
LOVE this post, Julie! I love hearing about new artsy things around the city. I am making a list of all of the things that I want to check out.
LOVE this post, Julie! I love hearing about new artsy things around the city. I am making a list of all of the things that I want to check out.
LOVE this post, Julie! I love hearing about new artsy things around the city. I am making a list of all of the things that I want to check out.
LOVE this post, Julie! I love hearing about new artsy things around the city. I am making a list of all of the things that I want to check out.
LOVE this post, Julie! I love hearing about new artsy things around the city. I am making a list of all of the things that I want to check out.
Thank you for sharing your visit. The photo of the face with your reflection in it is very cool. The guy pooping paint! Maybe a rainbow? I wish I could read the whole story of Torpedoboy. The white on white carved letters, what media was used?
There’s so much to see, I would be there for hours. Unfortunately, I don’t travel well these days. It’s fun to see your photos, but in person WOULD be so much better.
Again, thank you!
Thank you for sharing your visit. The photo of the face with your reflection in it is very cool. The guy pooping paint! Maybe a rainbow? I wish I could read the whole story of Torpedoboy. The white on white carved letters, what media was used?
There’s so much to see, I would be there for hours. Unfortunately, I don’t travel well these days. It’s fun to see your photos, but in person WOULD be so much better.
Again, thank you!
Thank you for sharing your visit. The photo of the face with your reflection in it is very cool. The guy pooping paint! Maybe a rainbow? I wish I could read the whole story of Torpedoboy. The white on white carved letters, what media was used?
There’s so much to see, I would be there for hours. Unfortunately, I don’t travel well these days. It’s fun to see your photos, but in person WOULD be so much better.
Again, thank you!
Thank you for sharing your visit. The photo of the face with your reflection in it is very cool. The guy pooping paint! Maybe a rainbow? I wish I could read the whole story of Torpedoboy. The white on white carved letters, what media was used?
There’s so much to see, I would be there for hours. Unfortunately, I don’t travel well these days. It’s fun to see your photos, but in person WOULD be so much better.
Again, thank you!
Thank you for sharing your visit. The photo of the face with your reflection in it is very cool. The guy pooping paint! Maybe a rainbow? I wish I could read the whole story of Torpedoboy. The white on white carved letters, what media was used?
There’s so much to see, I would be there for hours. Unfortunately, I don’t travel well these days. It’s fun to see your photos, but in person WOULD be so much better.
Again, thank you!
Thank you for sharing your visit. The photo of the face with your reflection in it is very cool. The guy pooping paint! Maybe a rainbow? I wish I could read the whole story of Torpedoboy. The white on white carved letters, what media was used?
There’s so much to see, I would be there for hours. Unfortunately, I don’t travel well these days. It’s fun to see your photos, but in person WOULD be so much better.
Again, thank you!
Thank you Julie for all that you share with us – you are an incredible writer. The pork chop, hush puppies and donuts look divine.
Thank you Julie for all that you share with us – you are an incredible writer. The pork chop, hush puppies and donuts look divine.
Thank you Julie for all that you share with us – you are an incredible writer. The pork chop, hush puppies and donuts look divine.
Thank you Julie for all that you share with us – you are an incredible writer. The pork chop, hush puppies and donuts look divine.
Thank you Julie for all that you share with us – you are an incredible writer. The pork chop, hush puppies and donuts look divine.
Thank you Julie for all that you share with us – you are an incredible writer. The pork chop, hush puppies and donuts look divine.
So many people take where they live for granted and never get out and explore their own cities and neighborhoods. I love that you embrace all that is around you! You inspire me so much, Julie!
So many people take where they live for granted and never get out and explore their own cities and neighborhoods. I love that you embrace all that is around you! You inspire me so much, Julie!
So many people take where they live for granted and never get out and explore their own cities and neighborhoods. I love that you embrace all that is around you! You inspire me so much, Julie!
So many people take where they live for granted and never get out and explore their own cities and neighborhoods. I love that you embrace all that is around you! You inspire me so much, Julie!
So many people take where they live for granted and never get out and explore their own cities and neighborhoods. I love that you embrace all that is around you! You inspire me so much, Julie!
So many people take where they live for granted and never get out and explore their own cities and neighborhoods. I love that you embrace all that is around you! You inspire me so much, Julie!
“It’s wonderful to think of a museum as a living and breathing organization actively working to encourage emerging artists rather than a moldy rarified receptacle for established work.” I couldn’t agree more Julie. Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us!
“It’s wonderful to think of a museum as a living and breathing organization actively working to encourage emerging artists rather than a moldy rarified receptacle for established work.” I couldn’t agree more Julie. Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us!
“It’s wonderful to think of a museum as a living and breathing organization actively working to encourage emerging artists rather than a moldy rarified receptacle for established work.” I couldn’t agree more Julie. Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us!
“It’s wonderful to think of a museum as a living and breathing organization actively working to encourage emerging artists rather than a moldy rarified receptacle for established work.” I couldn’t agree more Julie. Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us!
“It’s wonderful to think of a museum as a living and breathing organization actively working to encourage emerging artists rather than a moldy rarified receptacle for established work.” I couldn’t agree more Julie. Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us!
“It’s wonderful to think of a museum as a living and breathing organization actively working to encourage emerging artists rather than a moldy rarified receptacle for established work.” I couldn’t agree more Julie. Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us!
Wow. What a wonderful tour. I’m so happy that Langston Hughes’ ashes were scattered in rivers. Great post.
Wow. What a wonderful tour. I’m so happy that Langston Hughes’ ashes were scattered in rivers. Great post.
Wow. What a wonderful tour. I’m so happy that Langston Hughes’ ashes were scattered in rivers. Great post.
Wow. What a wonderful tour. I’m so happy that Langston Hughes’ ashes were scattered in rivers. Great post.
Wow. What a wonderful tour. I’m so happy that Langston Hughes’ ashes were scattered in rivers. Great post.
Wow. What a wonderful tour. I’m so happy that Langston Hughes’ ashes were scattered in rivers. Great post.
Julie, Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this…… I have an airline ticket to NYC that I have to use before the end of September (I had it to come for one of your workshops at The Ink Pad a year ago, but had to cancel because of my Mother’s health)…. now I have another reason to use it!!
Julie, Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this…… I have an airline ticket to NYC that I have to use before the end of September (I had it to come for one of your workshops at The Ink Pad a year ago, but had to cancel because of my Mother’s health)…. now I have another reason to use it!!
Julie, Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this…… I have an airline ticket to NYC that I have to use before the end of September (I had it to come for one of your workshops at The Ink Pad a year ago, but had to cancel because of my Mother’s health)…. now I have another reason to use it!!
Julie, Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this…… I have an airline ticket to NYC that I have to use before the end of September (I had it to come for one of your workshops at The Ink Pad a year ago, but had to cancel because of my Mother’s health)…. now I have another reason to use it!!
Julie, Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this…… I have an airline ticket to NYC that I have to use before the end of September (I had it to come for one of your workshops at The Ink Pad a year ago, but had to cancel because of my Mother’s health)…. now I have another reason to use it!!
Julie, Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this…… I have an airline ticket to NYC that I have to use before the end of September (I had it to come for one of your workshops at The Ink Pad a year ago, but had to cancel because of my Mother’s health)…. now I have another reason to use it!!
The photo you took of the painting that has your face reflected in it is TOO COOL!
While I envy your access to so much art in the NYC area (there is almost NOTHING where I live), I am looking forward to viewing some art wehn I go on vacay in a few days.
I’m gonna make art on the go like you do!
YAY!
The photo you took of the painting that has your face reflected in it is TOO COOL!
While I envy your access to so much art in the NYC area (there is almost NOTHING where I live), I am looking forward to viewing some art wehn I go on vacay in a few days.
I’m gonna make art on the go like you do!
YAY!
The photo you took of the painting that has your face reflected in it is TOO COOL!
While I envy your access to so much art in the NYC area (there is almost NOTHING where I live), I am looking forward to viewing some art wehn I go on vacay in a few days.
I’m gonna make art on the go like you do!
YAY!
The photo you took of the painting that has your face reflected in it is TOO COOL!
While I envy your access to so much art in the NYC area (there is almost NOTHING where I live), I am looking forward to viewing some art wehn I go on vacay in a few days.
I’m gonna make art on the go like you do!
YAY!
The photo you took of the painting that has your face reflected in it is TOO COOL!
While I envy your access to so much art in the NYC area (there is almost NOTHING where I live), I am looking forward to viewing some art wehn I go on vacay in a few days.
I’m gonna make art on the go like you do!
YAY!
The photo you took of the painting that has your face reflected in it is TOO COOL!
While I envy your access to so much art in the NYC area (there is almost NOTHING where I live), I am looking forward to viewing some art wehn I go on vacay in a few days.
I’m gonna make art on the go like you do!
YAY!
what an amazing day! I will have to get to Harlem the next time I get to NYC.
what an amazing day! I will have to get to Harlem the next time I get to NYC.
what an amazing day! I will have to get to Harlem the next time I get to NYC.
what an amazing day! I will have to get to Harlem the next time I get to NYC.
what an amazing day! I will have to get to Harlem the next time I get to NYC.
what an amazing day! I will have to get to Harlem the next time I get to NYC.
This is so interesting and I love that you were able to visit the Hospital to see more art work. I have always been a fan of art but have never been to many of the big museums that I would love to go to. Sounds like your night was fun and eventful while also educational. Those are the best types of events to go to!
Hugs,
Jo
xox
This is so interesting and I love that you were able to visit the Hospital to see more art work. I have always been a fan of art but have never been to many of the big museums that I would love to go to. Sounds like your night was fun and eventful while also educational. Those are the best types of events to go to!
Hugs,
Jo
xox
This is so interesting and I love that you were able to visit the Hospital to see more art work. I have always been a fan of art but have never been to many of the big museums that I would love to go to. Sounds like your night was fun and eventful while also educational. Those are the best types of events to go to!
Hugs,
Jo
xox
This is so interesting and I love that you were able to visit the Hospital to see more art work. I have always been a fan of art but have never been to many of the big museums that I would love to go to. Sounds like your night was fun and eventful while also educational. Those are the best types of events to go to!
Hugs,
Jo
xox
This is so interesting and I love that you were able to visit the Hospital to see more art work. I have always been a fan of art but have never been to many of the big museums that I would love to go to. Sounds like your night was fun and eventful while also educational. Those are the best types of events to go to!
Hugs,
Jo
xox
This is so interesting and I love that you were able to visit the Hospital to see more art work. I have always been a fan of art but have never been to many of the big museums that I would love to go to. Sounds like your night was fun and eventful while also educational. Those are the best types of events to go to!
Hugs,
Jo
xox
Oh, this was a great virtual day out post – you really gave so much of a glimpse with your photos. I love some of the work you got close ups of at the Studio Museum.
Oh, this was a great virtual day out post – you really gave so much of a glimpse with your photos. I love some of the work you got close ups of at the Studio Museum.
Oh, this was a great virtual day out post – you really gave so much of a glimpse with your photos. I love some of the work you got close ups of at the Studio Museum.
Oh, this was a great virtual day out post – you really gave so much of a glimpse with your photos. I love some of the work you got close ups of at the Studio Museum.
Oh, this was a great virtual day out post – you really gave so much of a glimpse with your photos. I love some of the work you got close ups of at the Studio Museum.
Oh, this was a great virtual day out post – you really gave so much of a glimpse with your photos. I love some of the work you got close ups of at the Studio Museum.
What a wonderful day filled with such a variety of great experiences.
What a wonderful day filled with such a variety of great experiences.
What a wonderful day filled with such a variety of great experiences.
What a wonderful day filled with such a variety of great experiences.
What a wonderful day filled with such a variety of great experiences.
What a wonderful day filled with such a variety of great experiences.
We in the Puget Sound area were fortunate to have Jacob Lawrence right here in our midst. His work, and his wife’s, are still much appreciated here. The tour must have been both inspiring and depressing–but mostly inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing!
We in the Puget Sound area were fortunate to have Jacob Lawrence right here in our midst. His work, and his wife’s, are still much appreciated here. The tour must have been both inspiring and depressing–but mostly inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing!
We in the Puget Sound area were fortunate to have Jacob Lawrence right here in our midst. His work, and his wife’s, are still much appreciated here. The tour must have been both inspiring and depressing–but mostly inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing!
We in the Puget Sound area were fortunate to have Jacob Lawrence right here in our midst. His work, and his wife’s, are still much appreciated here. The tour must have been both inspiring and depressing–but mostly inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing!
We in the Puget Sound area were fortunate to have Jacob Lawrence right here in our midst. His work, and his wife’s, are still much appreciated here. The tour must have been both inspiring and depressing–but mostly inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing!
We in the Puget Sound area were fortunate to have Jacob Lawrence right here in our midst. His work, and his wife’s, are still much appreciated here. The tour must have been both inspiring and depressing–but mostly inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing!
Such diverse artwork- loved getting a peek into this museum. Thanks so much for sharing
Such diverse artwork- loved getting a peek into this museum. Thanks so much for sharing
Such diverse artwork- loved getting a peek into this museum. Thanks so much for sharing
Such diverse artwork- loved getting a peek into this museum. Thanks so much for sharing
Such diverse artwork- loved getting a peek into this museum. Thanks so much for sharing
Such diverse artwork- loved getting a peek into this museum. Thanks so much for sharing
oh julie, you really did capture the texture & details for those of us who can’t be there. thank you so much! totally inspired, want more details on pieces, but know that has to be open to interpretation. i can see they were poignant, & disturbing. i know some of these art pieces are screaming. also so much pretty among & within the ugliness. it’s like their human spirit & beauty shine through. which i connect with & it reminds me of the story a tree grows in brooklyn.
oh julie, you really did capture the texture & details for those of us who can’t be there. thank you so much! totally inspired, want more details on pieces, but know that has to be open to interpretation. i can see they were poignant, & disturbing. i know some of these art pieces are screaming. also so much pretty among & within the ugliness. it’s like their human spirit & beauty shine through. which i connect with & it reminds me of the story a tree grows in brooklyn.
oh julie, you really did capture the texture & details for those of us who can’t be there. thank you so much! totally inspired, want more details on pieces, but know that has to be open to interpretation. i can see they were poignant, & disturbing. i know some of these art pieces are screaming. also so much pretty among & within the ugliness. it’s like their human spirit & beauty shine through. which i connect with & it reminds me of the story a tree grows in brooklyn.
oh julie, you really did capture the texture & details for those of us who can’t be there. thank you so much! totally inspired, want more details on pieces, but know that has to be open to interpretation. i can see they were poignant, & disturbing. i know some of these art pieces are screaming. also so much pretty among & within the ugliness. it’s like their human spirit & beauty shine through. which i connect with & it reminds me of the story a tree grows in brooklyn.
oh julie, you really did capture the texture & details for those of us who can’t be there. thank you so much! totally inspired, want more details on pieces, but know that has to be open to interpretation. i can see they were poignant, & disturbing. i know some of these art pieces are screaming. also so much pretty among & within the ugliness. it’s like their human spirit & beauty shine through. which i connect with & it reminds me of the story a tree grows in brooklyn.
oh julie, you really did capture the texture & details for those of us who can’t be there. thank you so much! totally inspired, want more details on pieces, but know that has to be open to interpretation. i can see they were poignant, & disturbing. i know some of these art pieces are screaming. also so much pretty among & within the ugliness. it’s like their human spirit & beauty shine through. which i connect with & it reminds me of the story a tree grows in brooklyn.
Thanks for sharing the photos. I wish you would ‘ve warned us there were some graphic nudity in some of the work.
Thanks for sharing the photos. I wish you would ‘ve warned us there were some graphic nudity in some of the work.
Thanks for sharing the photos. I wish you would ‘ve warned us there were some graphic nudity in some of the work.
Thanks for sharing the photos. I wish you would ‘ve warned us there were some graphic nudity in some of the work.
Thanks for sharing the photos. I wish you would ‘ve warned us there were some graphic nudity in some of the work.
Thanks for sharing the photos. I wish you would ‘ve warned us there were some graphic nudity in some of the work.