Black is Beautiful

Last month after having a phenomenal brunch @ Melba’s in Harlem with phenomenal friends, I ventured to 125th to stock up natural black soap (my secret ingredient).

During my stroll, I got a delicious cherry ice, did some great people watching & stumbled upon the Studio Museum.

Before actually getting to the museum, I spotted a huge Negrofied US flag. Yes Negrofied! It was red, black & green. The colors of Black liberation! At first, I was like wow; they have balls. I then said, well, we are in Harlem.

Once I got to where the flag was hanging, I noticed that I was in front of a museum; the Studio Museum.

In front of the museum was a store with lots of little items that made me curious; like the mug pictured above. After I ventured in, I was surprised & almost ashamed to learn that the museum has been in existence since 1968.

The funny thing is, I’ve passed this spot 3 times in the last year & never noticed it. Like walked right past it. I guess you can call it tunnel vision. So funny how national jewels, Black jewels easily go unnoticed.

Unfortunately, I did not have time to explore the museum but I did buy this must have mug. On my next NYC trip, visiting Studio Museum will be high on my priority list.

Have you visited the Studio Museum? What are your thoughts on its content and or history?

Museum History:
The Studio Museum in Harlem is an American contemporary art museum in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, New York. It was founded in 1968 as the first such museum in the U.S. devoted in the art of African-Americans, specializing in 19th and 20th century work as well work of artists of African descent. It is located on 125th Street, between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. and Lenox Avenue. The scope of the Studio Museum includes exhibitions, Artists-in-Residence program, education and public programming, a permanent collection, and archival and research facilities.

Since opening in a rented loft at Fifth Avenue and 125th Street in 1968, the Studio Museum has earned recognition for its catalytic role in promoting the works of artists of African descent. The Museum’s Artists-in-Residence program has supported over ninety graduates who have gone on to highly regarded careers. A wide variety of education and public programs have brought the African-American experience alive for the public by means of lectures, dialogues, panel discussions and performances, as well as interpretive programs, both on- and off-site, for students and teachers. The exhibitions program has also expanded the scope of art historical literature through the production of scholarly catalogues, brochures and pamphlets. (Source: Wikipedia)

BTW, have a look at my latest NYC photo journal here.