NEW YORK, NY (June 1, 2021) – We are pleased to announce the launch of an exciting collaboration between the Hispanic Society Museum & Library, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA), and Boricua College on three exciting exhibitions: Latinx Diaspora: Stories from Upper Manhattan, which open on Audubon Terrace on May 28, 2021; In the Heights: The Magic of a Neighborhood, scheduled to open on June 3, 2021 at Boricua College; and In the Heights: From University to Silver Screen on June 9, 2021 at the Hispanic Society. These exhibitions inaugurate the annual Arts Stroll/Paseo de las Artes organized by NoMAA.

Mounted on Audubon Terrace, a mural program painted by artists Carlos Jesús Martínez Domínguez (FEEGZ), DISTER RONDON, Danny Peguero, and Carla Torres, was created in celebration of the rich and complex history of the Latinx community in Washington Heights from the late 1800s to the present. The work originally began as a commission inspired by the HBO documentary, Siempre, Luis, relating the life and work of Luis A. Miranda, Jr., Puerto-Rican community activist, prominent New York political consultant, and long-time Washington Heights resident. The call for submissions from local artists was conducted by NoMAA in partnership with HBO to create a work that reflected key moments in the history of Latinx immigration to Washington Heights. The commission was first unveiled as a single double-sided wall on La Plaza de las Americas, in front of the United Palace for two weeks in October 2020.  On Audubon Terrace, the installation has been installed in two double-side parts.

In the Heights: From University to the Silver Screen, will feature over fifty images tracing the development of the award-winning musical from its first showing at Wesleyan University through the Broadway productions and the Warner Brother major motion picture. With music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, In the Heights tells the story over the course of three days, involving characters in the largely Dominican neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City. The exhibition will be shown at the Hispanic Society’s newly inaugurated East Building Gallery as well as Boricua College’s library on the second floor.

“We are excited to partner with the Hispanic Society and Boricua College to bring together art, culture, and community, and to share these stories with our neighbors in Washington Heights, all of New York City, and beyond,” says Dr. Niria Leyva-Gutiérrez, Executive Director of NoMAA.  “These exhibitions are fantastic additions to this year’s Annual Art Stroll, highlighting the work of just a few of the many talented artists in our community.”

“These exhibitions represent a wonderful moment in our history as we come together with our neighbors at the Hispanic Society and NoMAA to showcase the extraordinary arts of Upper Manhattan,” says Dr. Victor G. Alicea, President of Boricua College.

Guillaume Kientz, Director and CEO of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library relates, “I am thrilled that the first phase of the museum reopening and the inauguration of our new exhibition gallery coincide with two shows celebrating the incredible stories and talents of the people of Washington Heights and Upper Manhattan. I am incredibly grateful to NoMAA for this great collaboration and I am confident it will soon lead to many others.”

Sponsorship of these exhibitions have been made possible through the generosity of Google, Warner Bros., and The Miranda Family Fund, with additional support from HBO, New York Presbyterian, Spectrum, Telemundo, Con Edison Arts al Fresco, Hispanic Federation, Council-member Mark Levine, Councilmember Ydanis Rodríguez, Manhattan Times, United Way of New York City, Department of Cultural Affairs, and Random House. Additional support for the exhibition at the Hispanic Society has been provided by GRoW@Annenberg.

Latinx Diaspora: Stories from Upper Manhattan

May 28 – August 15, 2021

Audubon Terrace at Broadway between 155th and 156th Streets

Daily 10am to 5pm (closed on Sunday, July 4th)

In the Heights: The Magic of a Neighborhood

Boricua College Library

June 3 – August 15, 2021

Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm

In The Heights: From University To The Silver Screen

Hispanic Society Museum & Library, East Building Gallery

June 9 – August 13, 2021

Daily 10am to 4pm (closed on Sunday, July 4th)

Admission is free; all visitors must wear face coverings; social distance of 6 ft. must be maintained; ADA ramp available. Personal headsets recommended for the audio explanations.