Street Scene

Community Block Party, a 36" by 24" oil on canvas by Norman Messiah, won first prize in the Columbia 250 Community Festival art contest this fall. “Norman Messiah is a respected creative force in the Harlem community,” said Ademola Olugebefola, curator of Community Artists Ahead of Their Time, an exhibition that included entries submitted to the contest. “The judges were delighted that his vision fit the theme, ‘Community: Living and Learning with Neighbors.’” The exhibition showcased work of local artists of all ages, including entries to an art contest for the Columbia 250 Community Festival commemorative poster. Among the many local arts leaders making the exhibition possible was Harlem Arts Alliance Chairman Voza Rivers, who said that he “was honored that Columbia engaged us as partners in selecting artists from East Harlem, West Harlem, Central Harlem, and Manhattanville. This was a major breakthrough for us and for the artists who participated.”