The Studio Museum in Harlem has revealed the talented artists selected for its 2026 Artist-in-Residence program. This esteemed group includes Derriann Pharr, Simonette Quamina, and Taylor Simmons.
This cohort marks a significant milestone as they will be the first to take part in the museum's newly inaugurated building, which opened its doors last fall. To celebrate this occasion, the museum hosted an exhibition titled "From the Studio: Fifty-Eight Years of Artists in Residence" in the Bruce Llewellyn Artist in Residence Center, the very space where these future artists will create.
Pharr, Quamina, and Simmons will reside at the museum from March 15 to October 15 this year. Supported by the Glenstone Foundation, their residency will culminate in an exhibition accompanied by a publication. Furthermore, they will benefit from institutional support, professional development, and access to a vibrant community of curators and past residents.
Studio Museum director and chief curator Thelma Golden expressed her excitement, stating, "Our new Artist in Residence Center was built as the Museum's architectural core to acknowledge the program that has been at the heart of our mission since our founding. As the first cohort to inhabit this remarkable new space, Pharr, Quamina, and Simmons join the Museum at a historic moment."
Pharr, based in Birmingham, Alabama, is known for her mixed-media portraits that feature ethereal figures set against dreamy landscapes. Her work reflects a journey of self-reconciliation and transformation. Quamina, who hails from Ontario, Canada, creates monumental prints and collaged drawings that challenge cultural and social perceptions, drawing from her diverse upbringing across the Caribbean and South America.
Simmons, originally from Atlanta and now residing in New York, employs a blend of acrylic, oil, airbrush, and wax in his vibrant artworks that often depict everyday life. His creative process is inspired by music and viral media, resulting in dynamic and engaging pieces.
Yelena Keller, associate curator at the Studio Museum, shared her enthusiasm for the new chapter in the Artist-in-Residence program, stating, "These artists will continue to push the Museum's mission, presenting an exciting opportunity for us to engage with contemporary artistic practices."