Sidwell Friends recently honored the work of Artist Carl Van Vechten and others who contributed to the Harlem Renaissance in a one-year photography exhibit. Located in the Zartman House, the exhibit “Representatives: Picturing a New Spirit of Excellence” appreciates the iconic era through 70 photographs of intellectuals, artists, musicians and creative minds of the time.
The Harlem Renaissance marked the reclamation of African Americans’ rich cultures, fine arts and identities. According to the History Channel’s webpage, “The Harlem Renais sance was a golden age for African American artists, writers and musicians. It gave these artists pride in and control over how the Black experience was represented in American culture and set the stage for the civil rights movement.”
Sidwell Friends received the donation of these pieces in 2022 from the Joyce and George Wein Foundation. The Sidwell Friends Website states that “this is the first time these historic photographs have been shown since then.” Although he was born and raised in Iowa, Vechten created some of the first art depicting African Americans that was integrated into white society, particularly in New York City. According to the Sidwell Friends Website, Vechten made an immense impact on the Harlem Renaissance movement, paving the way for other aspiring artists to follow suit. Vechten’s work reflects traits that Sidwell students are encouraged to emulate and embody as they navigate the world.
The Sidwell Friends Website added that, “the faces peering out of every frame embody excellence and implicitly ask their modern-day audiences to reflect on how a life lived with purpose, authenticity and dedication can reveal the beauty and resilience of the human spirit.”
