The Dancer

True commitment to/

Opportunities in art/

Ballet in Harlem.

 

Arthur Mitchell (b. 1934), by Van Vechten, 1955.

Lush Life

Lyrical brilliance/

And harmonic Excellence/

Swee’ Pea’s legacy.

Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967), by Van Vechten, 1958.

Billie and Mister

"Lady” struggled but/

Tragedy should not obscure/

Happier moments.

Billie Holiday (1915-1959), by Van Vechten, 1949.

Humanist

Drama and race pride/

Convergence and confluence/

“New World A-Coming.”

Owen Dodson (1914-1983), by Van Vechten, 1942.

Works Progress #1

“Federal” writer/

A Great Migration unfolds/

In Blood on the Forge.

William Attaway (1911-1986), by Van Vechten, 1941.

Catholic Tastes

Negro life distilled/

Typical and happy in/

Picture-perfect books.

Ellen Tarry (1906-2008), by Van Vechten, 1950.

Ellen Tarry's 1946 children's book

Black Naturalism

Capturing Harlem/

Intensity of “The Street”/

Lasting legacy.

 

Ann Petry (1908-1997), by Van Vechten, 1948.