Harlem Sculpture Gardens expand to Broadway corridor with two new important works

Photo Courtesy of West Harlem Art Fund

This summer, Harlem Sculpture Gardens, co-presented by the West Harlem Art Fund and NY Artist Equity Association, grew its outdoor exhibition with support from new partners, bringing art to more residents along Upper Broadway in Manhattan. 

The sculptures Trinity and Beacon were sponsored by NYS Senator Cordell Cleare and the Broadway Mall Association. Beam Center, a youth-focused group working with the Lewis Latimer House Museum and GL Square Consulting, led by Gary Linares, created the pieces.

Trinity is 8ft high, 6 ft. wide and 3ft. deep. The entire work including the base was made  from pressure treated wood. Artist Iliana Emilia Garcia says, “I envisioned this piece as an homage to the diverse immigrant community of the neighborhood. It is my honor to celebrate their presence, their contributions, and the memories they have created—always looking north and upward for light, guidance, and opportunity.”

The fabricator of Trinity, Gary Linares, shared, “It was an amazing experience working  with the artist. Iliana Garcia is the definition of professionalism. Being a part of her  vision and watching it come to life through her eyes was a great moment and one that I will never forget. We need more of her secret sauce in our community. I look forward to seeing her next masterpiece.”  

BEACON is a 12-foot tall steel and LED interactive public art installation designed to spark  curiosity and encourage conversations about local New York history while deepening our understanding of Latimer’s contributions to the invention of the lightbulb. This installation honors the brilliance and ingenuity of one of New York’s residents during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  

The installation features proximity sensors that activate the filament inside, illuminating it  with a soft, pulsing light when the public interacts with it. No physical touch is required; the installation responds based on proximity. As a viewer approaches, the pulsing light  increases in speed, mimicking a heartbeat or breathing pattern. This interactive element is intentionally crafted to honor Lewis Latimer, acknowledging his contributions to electrical engineering, science, and improving our lives from the 1880s to the present day.  

The artist Shervone Neckles stated, “It’s an incredible honor to present my public interactive sculpture, BEACON, in Harlem and to use it to both celebrate New York history and connect the inspiring story of pioneering American inventor Lewis Howard Latimer with Harlem residents.”

Brian Cohen, Executive Director of Beam Center and collaborator on the sculpture, related  to us “When Beam Center’s collaboration with Shervone Neckles, The Lewis Latimer House Museum and the young people who built Beacon was interrupted by COVID in March 2020, we would never have imagined the journey this work would ultimately take. From his final home in Flushing to his birthplace of Chelsea, Massachusetts, with stops in  Brooklyn and the Boston Museum of Science in between, Beacon has literally shed light  on both Latimer’s world-changing impact and the capacity for the youth of NYC to make  spectacular things happen. We are thrilled to have Beacon’s next home to be at  Montefiore Plaza.” 

Andrew Genn, Executive Director of the Broadway Mall Association “We are thrilled to  participate in Harlem Sculpture Gardens 2025. We welcome the beautiful works of  Iliana emilia Garcia at the mall of 148th Street and Shervone Neckles at nearby Montefiore Park. Their works, Trinity and Beacon, activate these public spaces providing  our neighbors and visitors to these small parks something to ponder and visual delight.”  

Michael Gormley, Executive Director, New York Artist Equity Association (NYAE) writes,  “NYAE is proud to partner with the Harlem Art Fund to advance a new public art  initiative; we seek to activate our city parks and community gardens with an egalitarian  curatorial practice that situates art outside [both literally and figuratively] of self segregating spaces–and thereby allow art to be accessible to all.” 

Savona Bailey-McClain, Executive Director & Chief Curator, of the West Harlem Art Fund, shared that the organization is launching a fabrication studio to bring more public art and  design to the city. McClain stated, “There is a need to make fabrication more affordable and accessible to artists and designers wishing to expand their practice. Harlem Sculpture Gardens has shown that the public across all neighborhoods desire more art  and all the benefits it can bring.” 

State Senator Cordell Cleare stated “Artistic expression and exhibitions have always been the heartbeat of our Harlem Community.  I am so honored that the West Harlem Art Fund and The Broadway Mall Association continue, exemplify and expand upon this tradition while giving voice and presence to creators from within our community.”  

Beam Fabrication Team with artist Shervone Neckles  

Kamaari Blake  

Lakeisha Hammond  

Haris Javed  

Gregory Pastor  

Justin Rios  

Johanna Rodriguez  

Kevin Romero  

About the West Harlem Art Fund (https://www.westharlem.art)  

The West Harlem Art Fund (WHAF) is a twenty-five-year-old, public art and new media  organization. WHAF seeks opportunities for artists and creative professionals throughout  NYC and beyond wishing to showcase and share their talent. The West Harlem Art Fund presents art and culture in open and public spaces to add aesthetic interest; promote historical and cultural heritage; and support community involvement in local  development. Our heritage symbol Afuntummireku-denkyemmtreku: is the double  crocodile from West Africa Ghana which means unity in diversity.  

About Broadway Mall Association (https://www.broadwaymall.org)

The Broadway Mall Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the stewardship and beautification of the malls in the center of Broadway from 70th Street to 168th Street. Through art, horticulture, and community engagement, BMA works to create vibrant public spaces that serve as a green sanctuary for residents and visitors. 

About New York Artist Equity Association (https://www.nyartistsequity.org)  

New York Artist Equity Association was founded in 1947 to promote opportunities for  artists and address economic issues affecting American artists. More than 160 leading  American artists of the 1940s founded the organization, including Will Barnet, Thomas Hart Benton, George Biddle, Paul Cadmus, Stuart Davis, Arthur Dove, Marsden Hartley,  Edward Hopper, Leon Kroll, Jacob Lawrence, John Marin, Louise Nevelson, John Sloan and the first President Yasuo Kuniyoshi. These diverse artists were all clear on one point —  they had to band together to establish and protect artists’ economic well-being. Today NYAE continues to support the professional aspirations of unrecognized and emerging artists, particularly those from underrepresented groups, by providing them with exhibition  opportunities, educational programing, and a vibrant community of artists, collectors, curators, and art educators. 

About GL Square Consulting (https://glsquareconsulting.com/)

At GL Square Consulting, our mission is to empower nonprofits and businesses by delivering innovative consulting, tailored training, and resource solutions. We are dedicated to fostering growth, strengthening community bonds, and building a sustainable future through expert consulting, grant writing, and entrepreneurial development services. By partnering with organizations across New York City’s five boroughs, we aim to cultivate talent and ignite success for a brighter tomorrow. 

GL Square Consulting Fabrication Team

Gary Linares

Mike Beltran

Jose Colon

Mike Diaz 

Lupe Ortiz

Special thanks: Elizabeth Masella, Senior Public Art Coordinator, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and Manhattan Community Board 9.