Public Art and Community: Elizabeth Catlett and the Ralph Ellison Memorial

The Brooklyn Museum is currently exhibiting the first major retrospective of Elizabeth Catlett’s career. Catlett's only public commissioned work sought to honor author Ralph Ellison in Riverside Park near where he and his wife Fanny lived. The efforts of Harlem residents in partnership with the Riverside Park Conservancy resulted in the funding for the Ralph Ellison Memorial and the selection of artist Elizabeth Catlett's sculpture "Invisible Man." Join us on Sunday, November 24, for two free events to explore the history and context of the memorial’s creation.

Ralph Ellison Historical Walking Tour

12:30pm - Lobby of 730 Riverside Drive

Tour with Harlem historian John T. Reddick and explore aspects of Ellison’s life and career in the neighborhood.

Catlett: Public Art in Context

2pm - The American Academy of Arts and Letters | 633 West 155th Street

Join Mr. Reddick and panelists for an informative discussion of the Ellison Memorial in the context of Catlett's career, engagement with the Harlem community, and identity as an artist. Panelists include:

Catlett scholar, Dalila Scruggs, Augusta Savage Curator of African American Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum

The Ellison memorial project's landscape architect, Ken Smith, Founder of Ken Smith Workshop

Francisco Mora, Jr., son of Elizabeth Catlett

Guests are also encouraged to explore the exhibitions on view at Arts and Letters. They will be open to the public until 6pm.

Register for both events at soh.eventbrite.com

Visit the Brooklyn Museum’s current exhibit about Elizabeth Catlett until January 2025.