Harlem Hospital Center Murals

Harlem Hospital

New York, NY
2008

The Harlem Hospital Center murals, initially commissioned in 1936 under the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project, were the first major U.S. government commissions awarded to African American artists. Over the decades, these murals, painted in the modernist abstraction style of the time, suffered the effects of both age and environmental assault.

Goshow Architects oversaw the relocation and preservation of these historic works of art as Harlem Hospital underwent a complete building renovation. In conjunction with historic preservationists, Evergreene Painting Studios, we were responsible for devising systems for the careful removal and storage of these rare artworks, some of which run to 250 ft. in length.

Once construction was completed on the new facilities that now house the works, we recommended suitable visual settings and safe environmental and display conditions for the restored murals.