The concept for this design was inspired by the energy, friendship, and sense of sheer joy I witnessed at the plaza of the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling this past summer. Like the infamous Sugar Hill neighborhood surrounding it, and the sounds of Duke Ellington’s music, I created a pattern of lines that I feel reflects the pace atmosphere, its people, and its history. To contrast with the brown, red, yellow, and gray tones of the surrounding architecture, I selected vibrant colors to create a sense of procession along the barrier from Edgecombe Avenue to Harlem River Drive. Additionally, these vibrant colors correlate to street art, signage, and foliage I noticed on my walk through the neighborhood.

Soft ground aquatint on copperplate etching.

Soft ground aquatint on copperplate etching.

Soft ground aquatint on copperplate etching.