Harlem Inspired

Abigail DeVille’s artistic practice began in her grandma’s apartment, where she would find discarded items to piece together a narrative, to see what’s beneath the surface and give us an insight as well. Artists look closer, they tell stories, and can offer a deeper understanding of place and history.

John Reddick’s fascination with architecture began when he was a young man living in Philadelphia and continued through his studies at Yale University. Now an architectural and cultural historian, he reflects on the legacy and potency of the stoop in Harlem.

Horace Ballard is curator of American Art at Harvard Art Museums. As both curator and graduate of Yale Divinity School, he is ideally suited to reflect on the intersection of sanctuary and art. 

Najha Zigbi-Johnson has been studying the streets of Harlem for her entire life and now, after studying architecture at Columbia and Black culture at Harvard Divinity School, she sees the street in all its wondrous complexity: A gathering place, a political battleground, home.

Kamilah Forbes is executive producer at The Apollo Theatre here in Harlem. Working and creating in a place as legendary as the Apollo has offered Kamilah insights into the meaning of stage in Harlem and how it’s not limited to a theatre space. Harlem is the stage.