I have always been particularly fascinated with The Harlem Renaissance, that period of time in United States history spanning the 1920’s to the mid-1930s. Originally called the New Negro Movement, it was essentially a time when blacks fostered a new identity in the artistic world and were able to collectively express themselves through music, dance, song, the arts and literature in the most creative way.
However, I am ashamed to admit that for all of the years that I actually lived in New Haven, CT I had never been to Yale’s Beinecke Library. I had heard wonderful things about it but, for whatever reason, never quite made it there…
So when I read that Yale’s Beinecke Library was holding an exhibit on The Harlem Renaissance featuring James Weldon Johnson’s collection, I was immediately hooked.
This collection, titled Gather Out Of Star-Dust, The Harlem Renaissance & The Beinecke Library, is on view from January 13th though April 17th and best of all its free!
Walking up Wall Street the very first thing I noticed was the big blue sign and the beautiful architecture of the building’s exterior. The second thing was the chalk-written political statements (most likely penned by Yale undergrads) on the pavement leading to the entrance (smile).
As the playbill demonstrated, the exhibit was divided into the following sections:
First Floor South Display: The Harlem Renaissance: A Chronology
Letters, Manuscripts, Photographs and Artwork from African-American culture between 1910 and 1940.
First Floor Tower: Visualizing Harlem
Photograph images from The Harlem Renaissance era.
First Floor North Display: The Making of a Renaissance
Items shown here cover published manifestos and manuscripts on African-American art, first editions of notable texts and publications and correspondence between Langston Hughes and Claude McKay.
Second Floor East Display – From Blues to The Emperor Jones: African-American Performing Arts
Musical, Dance and Theater influences are covered here so this is a memorable display. This is also the era that popularized Blues and Jazz, introduced The Charleston and reinvented the musical chorus line.
Second Floor Curved Case North – Visual Arts
Here you will find sculptures and works on paper from various African-American artists.
Second Floor Curved Case South – Caricature Assassination
Caricature assassinations by Mexican artist Miguel Covarrubias are seen in this display (not one of my faves – I found his work offensive and not in good taste).
Second Floor West Display – Gather Out of Star-Dust – Collecting a Renaissance for the Present and Future
And finally, this last section features a library collection of works from various African-American artists including James Weldon Johnson, Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.
Again, this thought-provoking free exhibit is happening now at Yale’s Beinecke Library but only until April 17th and believe me, it is truly one of the most productive ways to spend the day with your family and friends.