The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) has unveiled six artistic proposals for a monument honoring the legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday. This significant project, part of the Percent for the Art program, will be situated outside the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens, a location deeply connected to Holiday's life and performances.
Public participation is encouraged as the DCLA seeks input on the designs from artists Thomas J Price, Tanda Francis, Nekisha Durrett, La Vaughn Belle, Tavares Strachan, and Nikesha Breeze. Each proposal showcases unique interpretations of Holiday's enduring legacy, with renderings and accompanying descriptions available on the DCLA's official website.
The initiative to honor Holiday dates back to 2018, when the DCLA launched the She Built NYC program to address the underrepresentation of women in public monuments. Alongside Holiday, other notable figures such as Katherine Walker and Elizabeth Jennings Graham were also highlighted. Although the COVID-19 pandemic delayed progress, the project was revitalized in 2024.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in Baltimore, Holiday's journey to stardom began in Harlem during the late 1920s. Without formal training, she became a trailblazer, notably being one of the first Black women to perform with a White orchestra. Her poignant rendition of "Strange Fruit" remains a powerful symbol in both musical and civil rights history.
Among the proposals, Tanda Francis's design features a striking bust of Holiday at the center of a shallow, blood-red tiled pool, surrounded by sculpted petals from gardenias, symbolizing resilience and community. Participants will have the opportunity to inscribe their own stories on these petals, creating a collective tribute.
Nekisha Durrett's concept also incorporates the gardenia, depicting Holiday's face on a petal-shaped plinth resembling a record, alongside her beloved chihuahua, Pepe. Meanwhile, Thomas J Price's design takes a more abstract route, focusing on an intimate moment captured in a photograph of Holiday with her dog.
La Vaughn Belle's proposal presents a contemplative image of Holiday at the edge of a reflective pool, poised for a performance, while Tavares Strachan's design aims to encapsulate Holiday's essence through an architectural vessel. Nikesha Breeze's concept features a figure carved from black marble, inviting interaction and engagement from viewers.
An exhibition showcasing these designs is currently on display at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center until the end of May. The DCLA has formed a diverse panel to select the winning proposal, which will be revealed this summer, with a budget of $600,000.
This monument not only pays homage to Billie Holiday's immense influence in music but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for future generations, highlighting the importance of recognizing women's contributions to culture and society.
