The Wallach Art Gallery Presents ~ Arthur Mitchell: Harlem’s Ballet Trailblazer

 

 

Arthur Mitchell, founder of Dance Theatre of Harlem + former principal dancer of the New York City Ballet. Image via 92Y

Wallach Art Gallery is presenting the first major exhibition devoted to Arthur Mitchell, in celebration of his life and accomplishments. Opening ~ January 12th.

Arthur Mitchell was the first African-American star in the New York City Ballet, and the founder/director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. The exhibition, Arthur Mitchell: Harlem’s Ballet Trailblazer will showcase Mitchell’s personal archive, donated to Columbia University’s Rare Book & Manuscript Library in 2014.  On view will be photographs, drawings, posters, memorabilia, and video footage – the telegram from Lincoln Kirstein to Mitchell, inviting him to join the New York City Ballet, an Al Hirschfeld drawing of Suzanne Farrell and Mitchell in Balanchine’s ‘Slaughter on Tenth Avenue,’ and much more.

Exhibition Opening ~ Arthur Mitchell: Harlem’s Ballet Trailblazer, Friday, January 12th from 6-8pm at Lenfest Center for the Arts, 615 West 129th Street. This is a Free event with Registration.

The exhibition, Arthur Mitchell: Harlem’s Ballet Trailblazercurated by Lynn Granola, Professor Emerita of Dance, Barnard College, is presented in collaboration with the Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University. It be on view from January 13 to March 11, 2018 at Lenfest Center for the Arts.