Photos courtesy of the Public Housing Community Fund
A monumental artwork that has been a fixture of a Crown Heights public housing complex for 80 years has been restored. Created by Harlem Renaissance artist Richmond Barthé, “Exodus and Dance” is an 80-foot cast-stone frieze depicting biblical scenes and Black figures dancing that has been on display at the city’s Kingsborough Houses since 1941. Eight decades of exposure to the elements caused the stone to crack and crumble, requiring a major restoration to preserve the public artwork. After an 18-month conservation project, officials on Thursday cut the ribbon on the rehabilitated “Exodus and Dance” sculpture, which once again stands as a community landmark.
Born and raised in Mississippi, Barthé moved to New York City during the height of the Harlem Renaissance. He was hired through the New Deal-era Works Progress Administration to create public art for the Harlem River Houses, one of the first federal housing projects built specifically for African Americans.
According to the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project, Barthé designed a site-specific work for the back wall of a proposed amphitheater. The left side of the frieze was inspired by the 1930 play “The Green Pastures,” which depicts stories from the Old Testament as seen through the eyes of Black children, and the Art Deco-styled right side features African dancers.
Since the amphitheater project was never built when the Harlem River Houses opened, the artwork sat in storage. In 1941, the panels were installed without his consultation on the main walkway of the Kingsborough Houses, a 16-building development with over 1,100 apartments.
Now referred to as “The Wall” by residents, “Exodus and Dance” remains a celebration of the Black community, as originally intended by the artist.
After art historians and residents urged NYCHA to restore the frieze, former City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and former Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel allocated $1.8 million for the project in 2019. The Mellon Foundation later provided a $2 million grant.
Last January, NYCHA, the Public Housing Community Fund, and the Mellon Foundation broke ground on the conservation project. The 18-month restoration involved removing the frieze from the wall, transporting it to a conservation studio, cleaning and repairing the piece, and building a new wall for the frieze.
The design team consisted of Ronnette Riley Architect, Evergreene Architectural Arts, Jablonski Building Conservation, Inc., Fisher Marantz Stone Lighting Designers, and Jemco Electrical Contractors.
“Restoration of the ‘Exodus and Dance’ frieze is breathing new life into Kingsborough Houses while celebrating the rich history and artistic legacy of its residents,” Alex Zablocki, executive director of the Public Housing Community Fund, said.
“The project is a powerful example of how placemaking and public art in open spaces can foster community connection and deepen residents’ engagement with their surroundings. The documentation and historical preservation aspect will serve as a blueprint for future projects that seek to empower communities and honor the legacy of NYCHA.”
The second phase of the project will include NYCHA’s first storywalk, which will highlight the community’s “shared histories, memories, and aspirations,” to be completed later this year. The open space around the frieze will also be getting new lighting, seating, and a mural on the backside of the wall. The project was led by artist-in-residence Larry Weekes, president of the Fulton Art Fair, Inc., before his passing in June.
“The restoration of Exodus and Dance means everything to our community. For years, we called it ‘The Wall’ and it symbolizes who we are and where we come from. Seeing it restored is like seeing our stories come back to life,” Kingsborough Houses Resident Association President Angeline Whitaker said.
“We also honor the memory of Mr. Larry Weekes, our former neighbor, artist-in-residence, and a true champion for this effort, whose passion for Richmond Barthé’s legacy helped make this vision a reality. May his memory be a blessing to all of us and an inspiration to the residents of Kingsborough to care for and reflect on this historic treasure in our community.”
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