Harlem? Harlem! Re-Opens at the Museum of Arts and Culture

The "Harlem? Harlem!" exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Culture at New Rochelle High School re-opened Monday and is now on public display. The exhibit, which chronicles the history of the Dance Theatre of Harlem from 1969-2010, features a mix of costumes, posters, programs, intimate photographs and video recordings to trace the history of the company.

"The exhibit actually opened at the end of the school year, so the students will really be experiencing it over the next month," said Theresa Kump Leghorn, director of the Museum of Arts and Culture at the school. "One of the great advantages of having a museum located within a school is that the students can visit the exhibits often, which gives them a chance to really think about what they are seeing," she said.

The exhibit explores the achievements and struggles of multicultural ballet dancers. According to Leghorn, until the founding of the company in 1968, ballet remained a predominantly Caucasian art form, and non-Caucasian dancers were rare.

"It took great talents like the Native American dancer Maria Tallchief  (America's first prima ballerina) and African American dancers Katharine Dunham and Alvin Ailey to start to making inroads in classical ballet," said Leghorn. "The company formed in 1968 and has played a role in effecting cultural change by using the art of ballet to change perceptions and engage audiences around the world."

One example from the exhibit has to do with costumes: When Arthur Mitchell started dancing ballet shoes only came in two colors, black and pink. The Dance Theatre of Harlem embraced a broad spectrum of skin tones and this required the creation of ballet shoes and tights in a variety of shades, from dark brown to light tan. Three sets of toe shoes and tights in various hues, contrasting with a traditionally pink pair of ballet shoes, are on display.

 Another example is the way Dance Theatre of Harlem re-imagined and re-staged some classical ballets. "Giselle," a tragic love story about a peasant girl and a prince which was first presented in the 19th century, became "Creole Giselle," set in a similarly restrictive pre-Civil War Louisiana. The exhibit has the actual costumes from "Creole Giselle" as well as video clips of the ballet.

Although the show is free and open to the public, Leghorn said she expects the exhibit to be a great learning tool for students at the high school.

"It has created a partnership between the school and the Dance Theatre of Harlem that we hope will grow," said Leghorn, who said that dancers from the company will visit the school and meet with the art classes to talk about dance.

Judy Tyrus, who curated the exhibit and is now an alumni liaison for the theatre, said she believes it will be educational and inspiring.

"I wanted to create an exhibition that documents the incredible impact of what Arthur Mitchell did and the time he did it; the depth and range of our repertoire, and the amazing artists we have developed," said Tyrus, "I hope that it gives young people motivation to realize their own dreams through hard work, dedication and passion for what they are doing"

Leghorn said teachers may also work the exhibit into their curriculum. Drawing classes may meet in the museum space and the students will be assigned to draw what they see, or to create works inspired by what's on exhibit.

The exhibit re-opened Monday, September 13 and will run through Saturday, October 2. The public can visit Mondays through Fridays between 9am- 3pm, or Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm-9pm.

Groups interested in visiting can call 914-576-6518 to make special arrangements.

On October 2, The Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble will offer a free, "family-friendly" performance at 4 pm that day as part of Arts Fest.