There & Back

The Harlem Renaissance was a transformative period in American history, marking an explosion of Black art, music, and literature that shaped the cultural landscape of the 20th century. There and Back, now on display in the Harrison Center's Annex Gallery for the month of February, pays tribute to this movement through a collaborative retrospective that reimagines its legacy.

This collaborative project, led by artist Kayla Harvey, brings together a group of Harrison Center artists to honor Harlem Renaissance icons through the cyanotype process, a light-sensitive photographic technique. Harvey printed portraits of key figures, which were then transformed by individual artists using various mediums, creating a powerful fusion of historical homage and contemporary expression.

The project highlights influential figures such as Aaron Douglas, Langston Hughes, and Countee Cullen, celebrating their lasting contributions to art and culture. Just as Harlem Renaissance artists uplifted and inspired one another, There and Back emphasizes the power of artistic collaboration. Viewers will experience a dynamic mix of styles and techniques, including acrylics, spray paint, and 3D installations, all woven together to reflect the spirit of creative exchange that defined the Harlem Renaissance.

Born out of Harlem, New York, this artistic movement was fueled by the Great Migration, as Black and African American communities moved north in search of new opportunities. With an unprecedented concentration of writers, musicians, and visual artists, Harlem became the birthplace of a cultural revolution that reshaped American art. There and Back invites visitors to engage with this enduring legacy, bridging past and present through an immersive display of reimagined portraits and artistic innovation.

The show can be viewed anytime in the Harrison Gallery through the month of February: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The works can also be viewed and purchased on our online gallery through February.