Historic Artwork at Kingsborough Houses Restored to Its Former Glory

For more than 80 years, Exodus and Dance, an 8-foot by 80-foot-long sculpture by celebrated Harlem Renaissance artist Richmond Barthé, has stood at Kingsborough Houses in Brooklyn, where residents call it “The Wall.” Now, after years of advocacy and conservation, the frieze has been restored, reviving a powerful symbol of the community’s shared history and cultural pride. 

On August 7, the Public Housing Community Fund, NYCHA, and the Mellon Foundation joined Kingsborough resident leaders, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman, Councilmember Darlene Mealy, and other dignitaries for a ribbon-cutting celebrating the completion of the restoration. The event marked the completion of the first phase of a project that combines art conservation with community engagement. 

Created in 1939 and installed at Kingsborough Houses in 1941, Exodus and Dance depicts scenes of biblical imagery and dance motifs to convey spirituality, community, and joy. The frieze is the largest piece of art created by Barthé, and his work can also be found in the collections of the Whitney Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

“Restoration of the Exodus and Dance frieze is breathing new life into Kingsborough Houses while celebrating the rich history and artistic legacy of its residents,” said Alex Zablocki, Executive Director of the Public Housing Community Fund. “The project is a powerful example of how placemaking and public art in open spaces can foster community connection and deepen residents’ engagement with their surroundings. The documentation and historical preservation aspect will serve as a blueprint for future projects that seek to empower communities and honor the legacy of NYCHA. We’re grateful to all our partners, especially the residents whose contributions made this restoration possible.” 

This effort is part of NYCHA’s Connected Communities program, which focuses on transforming and modernizing public housing open spaces through public-private partnerships and participatory planning and design with residents. 

“The restoration of this historic art is a powerful symbol of community, history, and the transformative impact of art in our neighborhoods; we’re proud to see this vision become a reality,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “My sincere thanks to the NYCHA residents, Public Housing Community Fund, Mellon Foundation, and New York City Council for their unwavering commitment to this vision.” 

The restoration work involved carefully removing the frieze from the wall, transporting it to a conservation studio, and building a new wall to serve as the base for the frieze. The project was recognized with a 2025 Moses Award for Preservation Projects by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. 

The next phase will focus on community engagement and storytelling and is expected to be completed in fall 2025. Plans include storywalks that highlight the community’s shared histories, memories, and aspirations, along with improvements to the surrounding space such as improved lighting, seating, and new community-inspired murals on the backside of the wall. Before his passing, this phase of the project was led by the artist-in-residence Larry Weekes, President of the Fulton Art Fair, Inc. Mr. Weekes had been looking forward to the “frieze becoming a focal point for the community once again, envisioning it as a vibrant gathering place for the residents of Kingsborough Houses.” 

The project was partly funded and made possible by the Mellon Foundation and New York City Council funds. In 2019, NYCHA received $1.8 million in funding for this project from former City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and former City Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel, which helped lead to the additional $2 million grant from the Mellon Foundation. The project aims to set a precedent for similar initiatives across NYCHA developments, inspiring future partnerships and investments in art conservation, artist-in-residence programs, and community engagement. 

“The restoration and reopening of Exodus and Dance at Kingsborough Houses is a testament to honoring our history, valuing and investing in our communities, and recognizing the power of artists and art to shape and enhance public life,” said Justin Garrett Moore of the Mellon Foundation. “Created by Richmond Barthé — a historically significant American artist — this work’s return reflects the collective efforts of New York City agencies and partners, and the local community members who will be the continued stewards of this place, of this story, and of a lasting and powerful legacy.” 

“It’s an incredible moment to see this project finally complete. When I first advocated for the restoration of Richmond Barthé’s Exodus and Dance, it was not just about preserving art – it was about honoring the legacy of a people and a place,” said Alicka Ampry-Samuel, former Councilmember for the 41st district. “With Weeksville Heritage Center just across the street, this work deepens the cultural roots of a neighborhood already rich in Black history. This 80-foot frieze is not just decoration, it is a declaration that beauty, history, and culture belong in public housing. Our residents deserve more than concrete – they deserve inspiration. Together, we have shown that preservation is not just about bricks and mortar, it is about soul, memory, and pride.” 

Kingsborough residents were central to the project from start to finish, serving on a Stakeholder Advisory Group to help shape decisions. 

“The restoration of Exodus and Dance means everything to our community,” said Kingsborough Houses Resident Association President Angeline Whitaker. “For years, we called it ‘The Wall,’ and it symbolizes who we are and where we come from. Seeing it restored is like seeing our stories come back to life. I’m deeply proud of our work together, and I want to thank the Kingsborough residents on the Stakeholder Advisory Group who guided this project with such care over the past 18 months. We also honor the memory of Mr. Larry Weekes, our former neighbor, artist-in-residence, and a true champion for this effort, whose passion for Richmond Barthé’s legacy helped make this vision a reality. May his memory be a blessing to all of us and an inspiration to the residents of Kingsborough to care for and reflect on this historic treasure in our community.” 

With its restoration, “The Wall” stands as a preserved piece of history – an important work of public art that will remain a lasting part of Kingsborough Houses, honoring the past while serving current and future residents. 

Read the full press release from the Public Housing Community Fund here.