Restoration of Exodus and Dance

A large-scale sculptural restoration designed by Ronnette Riley Architect, a 100% Woman-Owned firm in NYC. The restoration revives a significant Brooklyn mural for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Originally completed in 1939 by renowned Harlem Renaissance artist Richmond Barthé, Exodus and Dance is an 8-foot by 80-foot frieze that stands as a testament to Barthé’s mastery in depicting movement, spirituality, and the historical narratives of African-American communities. The figural scenes in the artwork are inspired in part by the Broadway play “The Green Pastures” which portrays Old Testament stories through the lens of the Black South. After 80 years of decay, the restoration was undertaken as part of a broader initiative led by NYCHA, the Public Housing Community Fund, and the Mellon Foundation and is aimed at strengthening the physical and social fabric of public housing communities. The project involved the careful removal of the frieze from its original location at Kingsborough Houses in Brooklyn, its transportation to conservation studios, and an extensive process of cleaning, repairing, and structural stabilization. Once meticulously restored, the frieze was reinstalled at its historic site in a restored wall, lit with in-grade light fixtures and new hard and landscaping. Involving the community as part of this process and the planned Storywalks installations at Kingsborough to celebrate and complement the presence of Exodus and Dance showed the importance of centering people in the process of imbuing this public art with life and pride of place. Exodus and Dance has been identified by the NY State Historic Preservation Office and placed on the National Register for Historic Art Pieces on NYCHA land. Although Barthé never publicly revealed his homosexuality, Exodus and Dance has been recognized as a NYC LGBT Historic Site.