East Harlem: El Barrio Diasporico

The exhibition “East Harlem: El Barrio Diasporico,” was inspired by the people of El Barrio, also known as Spanish Harlem. Over the course of six weeks, our team at Galeria del Barrio (an initiative of longtime CAW partner Hope Community, Inc.) recorded video interviews with members of the community, combed through archival photographs, created portraits of residents, and explored the vibrant street art of the neighborhood. The goal for these YAs was “to display the love and culture of the community.” We believe they surpassed that goal, as they packed the little gallery on East 104th Street with features, including a photo wall, a tribute to the music of Spanish Harlem, and two recreated spaces—a fire escape and Titi’s Corner, the living room of a typical auntie—both of which feature whimsical handmade items. Each section tells a compelling aspect of the history of this vital but changing neighborhood.

A Tour of the Gallery

Titi’s Corner: Everything in Titi’s (Auntie’s) Corner was handcrafted and painted by the crew, from the transistor radio, to the books, to the flower pots. The couch is covered by a white cloth symbolizing that a person (perhaps Titi or another family member) has been forced to move due to gentrification and the high cost of living in Harlem.

Viva la Musica del Barrio: Spanish Harlem is best known for its music and dance. Without music and dance, the cultural spirit of El Barrio wouldn’t exist. So, the team formulated a wall display applying hand crafted vinyls and photos of iconic live performances in the community. We included a record player playing vintage Latin music to fulfill the mood of the space.

Oral Histories: The crew recorded video interviews with local business owners, community leaders, artists, activists, and residents of Hope Community, Inc. housing. When taken together, these oral histories create a profound sense of place. The collected videos played on a loop at Galeria del Barrio and were presented at a special screening on August 18th attended by all the CAW summer Youth Apprentices as well as CAW staff and special guests.

Watch the compilation video on Vimeo here or by clicking the play button on the embedded video below.

*a special screening of the oral history videos was presented on August 18th to nearly 100 CAW summer Youth Apprentices as well as CAW staff and special guests.*

Portraits of El Barrio: In addition to filming interviews, YAs captured formal portraits of their subjects, sometimes during the interview process, sometimes during separate photo shoots. Below, from Left to Right: Former Hope Community, Inc. Deputy Executive Director and former Board Chair Carmen Vasquez, Billy Mitchell (aka “Mr. Apollo”), East Harlem Resident Angelica Suárez, Owner of Exotic Fragrances, Inc. Ismat Babiker, East Harlem Resident and US Veteran Warner Murry, President of the Salsa Museum in The City of New York Johnny Cruz, East Harlem businessman and civic booster David Acosta, CAW Youth Apprentice Kia Thompson with her mother, Shamika Thompson who are both residents of Hope Community, Inc. housing.

Opening Reception: Over 100 people attended the opening reception, including family of the YAs, staff from Hope Community, Inc. and CAW, the general public, and a few interested staff members from local museums. Notable VIPs included Hope Community, Inc. Executive Director Walter M. Roberts, author and Director of Tours at the Apollo Theater Billy Mitchell, Former Hope Community, Inc. Deputy Executive Director and former Board Chair Carmen Vasquez, and Director of Program Management at Hope Community, Inc. Maryhelen Rosales, to name a few.

*YA Ariel Fonesca and CAW Board President Brian Ricklin greet Billy Mitchell, Director of Tours at the Apollo Theater, otherwise known as “Mr. Apollo,”*

*Teaching Artist-in-Training Jonathan Hyman and YA Alison Andrea Martinez greet visitors to Galeria del Barrio on East 104th Street.*

*Former Hope Community, Inc. Deputy Executive Director and former Board Chair Carmen Vasquez and CAW Teaching Artist Jaimie Warren*

*YA Moses Zaiter (left) with his brother and father. Many family members attended the opening.*

A Tribute to Hope: Hope Community, Inc. is a community-based nonprofit that rebuilds the physical infrastructure of East Harlem by creating attractive, high-quality affordable rental and owner-occupied housing. This recreated fire escape, adorned with flags from all over the world, is dedicated to Hope in honor of the many community-building services they provide to El Barrio and surrounding neighborhoods.

Archival Photos of El Barrio: This wall documents the redevelopment of El Barrio and the surrounding neighborhoods. Photos include archival images going back to the formation of Hope Community, Inc. in 1962.

Meet the Crew

*Youth Apprentices and Teaching Artists at the soft opening at Galeria del Barrio.* ***From left to right:*** Kia Thompson’s little brother (not a member of the team), Kia Thompson, Pablo De Villa Caballero, Lucas Colon, Moses Zaiter (kneeling), John Cobena, Thomas Anthony Vega, Rachel Benkovich, Diafe Diarrassouba, Ariel Alberto Fonseca, Teaching Artist Assistant-in-Training Jonathan Hyman, Teaching Artist Jaimie Warren, Alison Andrea Martinez, Teaching Artist Maham Khwaja.

Read bios by all the Youth Apprentices in the commemorative brochure on ISSUU.

Our People

East Harlem: El Barrio Diasporico Team

Jaimie Warren, Teaching Artist
Maham Khwaja, Teaching Artist
Jonathan Hyman, Teaching Artist Assistant-in-Training
Riki Sabel, Program Manager

Staff

Karen Jolicoeur, Executive Director
Ellen Seltzer, Director of Finance and Administration
Ivory Nunez-Medrano, Program Manager | Teaching and Learning
Donna Manganello, Program Manager
Riki Sabel, Program Manager
Madeline De Leon, Program Associate
Clair Vogel, Development Manager
Scott Lucas, Marketing & Communications Manager
Jill Goldstein, Office Manager

Board of Directors

Brian Ricklin, President
Andrew D. Levin, Chairman
Steven Soutendijk, Treasurer
Julia Sanabria, Secretary
Mosely Chaszar
Neil Goldmacher
Gail Holcomb
Cary Levy
Angela Pennyfeather
Andrew Stern
Tiffany Theriault
Janet Woods

Hope Community, Inc.

Walter M. Roberts, Executive Director
Carmen Vasquez, former Deputy Executive Director and former Board Chair
Maryhelen Rosales, Director of Program Management
Tianah Gooden, Special Programs Development Fellow

Our Thanks...

This program was made possible by a generous grant from Charities Aid Foundation Canada.

Creative Art Works’ Public Art Youth Employment program receives support from the Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation, the Leroy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, the Find Your Light Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and the Office of the Manhattan Borough President.