The Second Black Arts Exhibition at the 135th St. Library

One hundred years ago today …. It was the last day of the second annual Black Arts show at the 135th Street branch of the New York Public Library. Again organized primarily by head librarian Ernestine Rose, it had opened August 1st.

Images courtesy Swann Galleries.

See our post about August 30, 1921, depicting the first iteration of his event.

The exhibit featured artists we have written about before, such as C.H Gaylord (Cecil Gaylord) and Wilfred Russell. 

Comparing the 1921 and 1922 exhibits, Julia C. Skinner writes: 

The second annual Exhibit featured a section of work by amateur artists, as well as work by more experienced artists as was included in the previous year (Latimer, 1922). The exhibit this year was renamed the Exhibition of Negro Artists, from the Negro Art Exhibit, after that name had drawn criticism in 1921 … As with the 1921 exhibit, community outreach was a major component, and the exhibit (whether intentionally or not) had the dual purpose of showcasing artistic work while aiding in the construction of a cohesive community identity, by bringing together different elements of the community for outreach and planning.  (84)

Skinner, Julia C (2015). Ernestine Rose and the Harlem Public Library: Theory Testing Using Historical Sources. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation] Florida State U. 

– Jonathan Goldman, Oct. 1, 2022

TAGS: African American art, Black history, race, library, librarians