HARLEM HOME COMING

THE STUDIO MUSEUM WILL STAGE A DAZZLING RETURN AMID TENSE TIMES AND A CHANGING NEIGHBORHOOD. IT COULDN'T ARRIVE SOONER

- ARIMETA DIOP

ON A WEEKNIGHT in April, the Studio Museum in Harlem hosted a sort of alumni gathering. The institution, which opened in a loft in 1968 and has grown to become the preeminent space for Black art in New York City, has been physically shuttered since 2018 as a new building, its first purpose-built space, was constructed. It was still a few months before doors would open to the public, but a select group of artists with ties to the museum were gathered for an artist party. There was Julie Mehretu, Manuel Acevedo, Mickalene Thomas, Jordan Casteel, Candida Alvarez, and Xenobia Bailey-each one a former Studio artist in residence.

The museum's ability to assemble such a potent group of talent helped make clear what's been missing from the New York cultural landscape in the seven years its doors have been closed. Though the Studio's curatorial team has maintained satellite programming during construction over a years-long partnership with MoMA PS1 in Queens and historic parks in the area, including Morningside and Jackie Robinson Park, the lack of a physical Studio Museum has been palpable for artists, the art world, and Harlem residents, many of whom have tapped longtime director Thelma Golden on the shoulder during her walks to Pilates or at the dry cleaners to tell her how much the museum has meant as a place for the community to congregate.

"I miss the Studio Museum even though I'm the director," Golden, who has held the title for 20 years, tells me this spring when we speak a few weeks after the party, the sounds of 125th Street audible on the line.