Residents, ArtBridge, Settlement Housing Fund, and West Harlem Group Assistance Celebrate Unveiling of New Public Art Installations at Historic Harlem River Houses
Community celebration marked completion of the public art component of the Harlem River Houses preservation initiative, featuring new sculptures and murals created in partnership with local artists and community
Contact: Ashley Solage, asolage@shfinc.org; or Judy Herbstman, jherbstman@shfinc.org at Settlement Housing Fund
Residents, ArtBridge, Settlement Housing Fund, West Harlem Group Assistance, C+C Apartment Management and L+M Development Partners today celebrated the unveiling of new public art installations at Harlem River Houses, bringing together residents, artists, elected officials, and community partners to mark a major milestone in the preservation of one of New York City’s most historically significant public housing developments.
Held in the courtyard of Harlem River Houses—a nine-acre, 576-unit New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) housing complex built in 1937 between West 151st Street and West 153rd Street in Harlem—the community celebration commemorated the completion of the public art portion of the larger Harlem River Houses preservation initiative. Supported by the Mellon Foundation, the project included the restoration of historic New Deal-era sculptures and the installation of new site-specific sculptural artworks and murals developed through resident meetings that gathered and utilized community feedback. Settlement Housing Fund and West Harlem Group Assistance are leading a comprehensive rehabilitation of Harlem River Houses as part of NYCHA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program, which leverages funding to deliver meaningful improvements to buildings and residential complexes.
The celebration featured remarks from representatives of New York City Assemblymember Al Taylor; the artists Kim Dacres, Paul Deo, and Marthalicia Matarrita; Jon Souza, Program Director, ArtBridge; and Eliot Hetterly, Project Director, Settlement Housing Fund. The public art installations are a part of the comprehensive property rehabilitation led by Settlement Housing Fund in partnership with NYCHA, West Harlem Group Assistance, L+M Development Partners, Curtis + Ginsburg Architects, C+C Apartment Management LLC, Higgins Quasebarth & Associates, and Jablonski Building Conservation.
The project features “Fountain Keepers,” a series of four new bronze sculptures by Harlem-based visual artist Dacres installed around the site’s restored central fountain. Developed through a collaborative process involving Harlem River Houses residents and community members, the sculptures pay homage to Black women and matriarchs of the housing complex who present as guardians of community, history, and family. Additionally, artists Deo and Matarrita highlighted their permanent murals within the entryways to the central plaza that blend historical and contemporary imagery, celebrating the generations of residents who have shaped Harlem River Houses and the broader Harlem community. Together, the new artworks and restored historic elements honor the rich history, culture, and legacy of Harlem River Houses while creating lasting public spaces that reflect the voices and experiences of residents.
“This project demonstrates the power of public art when it is rooted in community and shaped by the people who call a place home,” said Jon Souza, Program Director, ArtBridge. “Working alongside residents and our partners, Kim, Paul, and Marthalicia created works that honor the extraordinary history of Harlem River Houses while celebrating the generations of people who define this community. We’re proud that these sculptures and murals will serve as lasting reflections of Harlem River Houses’ culture, creativity, and pride.”
“Settlement Housing Fund is thrilled to celebrate the completion of the public art portion of our larger Harlem River Houses preservation project,” said Judy Herbstman, the nonprofit’s President. “The new and restored artworks pay tribute to the rich history of this landmarked public housing development, its residents and the surrounding Harlem community. We are grateful to the Mellon Foundation for its support of this project, to the artists and residents who worked with ArtBridge and our staff to bring the new art to life, and to Jablonski Building Conservation for the restoration of the original sculptures.”
“Congratulations to the Residents of Harlem River!” said Donald Notice, Executive Director West Harlem Group Assistance. “The pains of the past are not the blueprint for your future. We’re building unity in this iconic housing development.”
In addition to unveiling and highlighting Harlem River Houses’ newest works, the celebration touted the restoration of original sculptures by Jablonski Building Conservation, all supported by the Mellon Foundation. As part of the New Deal’s Federal Art Project, seven sculptures, at least two frescoes, and other landscape design features originally embellished the grounds of Harlem River Houses when it opened in 1937.
Originally opened in 1937 as one of the nation’s first federally funded public housing developments, Harlem River Houses was designed as a model for affordable housing and featured significant public art and landscape elements created through the New Deal’s Federal Art Project. The public art initiative was supported by the Mellon Foundation, which provided funding to help preserve Harlem River Houses’ cultural and artistic heritage while creating new opportunities for community storytelling through art.
About Settlement Housing Fund
Settlement Housing Fund is a 57-year-old nonprofit organization focused on affordable housing development and resident services in New York City, overseeing 3,147 affordable units in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Settlement Housing Fund creates, preserves, and sustains high-quality affordable housing that revitalizes neighborhoods and enables residents to thrive. It serves vulnerable, low- and moderate-income households, helping them achieve long-term stability and well-being. Based in New York City, its innovative model integrates affordable housing, social services, community programs, and neighborhood resources to build vibrant and inclusive communities.
For more information, visit www.settlementhousingfund.org or connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube.
About ArtBridge
ArtBridge is a New York City-based nonprofit that transforms urban infrastructure, such as construction sites, into canvases for public art and community expression. Through deep partnerships with local artists, residents, developers, and city agencies, ArtBridge creates site-specific installations that reflect neighborhood identity and foster connection. Since 2009, ArtBridge has completed over 100 public art projects across NYC.