After a Seven Year Wait, the Studio Museum in Harlem Celebrated its New Building
The new space, designed by Adjaye Associates in collaboration with Cooper Robertson as executive architect, was crafted as an ode to all that the museum does for its people. Upon seeing the building from the street, onlookers will instantly notice a set of stairs—a sort of inverted stoop, if you will—where visitors are welcome to relax, do work, or hang out with friends. As for exhibits, they can be experienced across five floors, while a rooftop terrace on the sixth floor offers panoramic views of the city.
On Friday, guests including Carrie Mae Weems, Barbara Chase-Riboud, Nina Chanel Abney, and Charles Gaines perused the From Now: A Collection in Context exhibition displayed on the second and fourth floors. Others spent a few minutes interacting with Tom Lloyd’s light installation, which pays homage to the activist’s contributions to art and technology. Meanwhile, a crew including Tyler Mitchell, Hannah Traore, Turiya Adkins, and Ferg lounged in the fifth floor reception space enjoying a DJ and hors d’oeuvres. Laughs were had, selfies were taken, and memories shared—it was a reunion like no other and a testament to all that the Studio Museum means not only for Harlem, but for Black culture.
Golden added that this was top of mind: “It’s deeply significant to witness an incredibly diverse range of artists engaging with their own works in our gallery and project spaces so that they might observe the ways they have each reimagined and transformed an art history which was previously dismissive of the contributions by artists of African descent. Ultimately this building is their legacy; one that ensures the full breadth of Black experience and creative expression is not just documented, but celebrated.”
As the evening came to a close, Sanford Biggers, Julie Mehretu, Candida Alvarez, Jordan Casteel, and Brett Cook took to the stage for a toast. In unison, the crowd raised their glasses to the artists whose work lined the walls, but also to Golden for leading the charge. “We are here to thank you for your encouragement and tireless support of making this an institution,” Alvarez praised. “Thank you for taking us to this level and for the immensity of work and commitment you have given to the future of what we do collectively.”