Six Artists Shortlisted for Billie Holiday Monument in Queens
New York City's Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) has unveiled six proposals for a monument dedicated to jazz legend Billie Holiday. This monument will be located outside the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens, funded by the Percent for the Art initiative. The designs, created by artists like Thomas J Price and Tanda Francis, are currently open for public input. Although the project began with the 2018 She Built NYC initiative, it faced delays due to the pandemic and is now moving forward in 2024. Holiday, who hailed from Philadelphia and Baltimore before settling in Harlem in 1929, is famous for her song "Strange Fruit" (1939). An exhibition of the designs will be at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center until May, where a panel will select the final design from a budget of $600,000, to be revealed this summer.
Key facts
- Six artists shortlisted for Billie Holiday monument in Queens.
- Monument installed outside Jamaica Performing Arts Center via Percent for the Art program.
- Public feedback open on DCLA website for proposals by Thomas J Price, Tanda Francis, Nekisha Durrett, La Vaughn Belle, Tavares Strachan, Nikesha Breeze.
- Monument originated from 2018 She Built NYC initiative, revived in 2024 after pandemic delay.
- Billie Holiday born in Philadelphia, moved to Harlem in 1929, known for 'Strange Fruit' (1939).
- Tanda Francis proposal 'Blood at the Root' includes bust in blood-red pool with gardenia petals.
- Nekisha Durrett proposal 'Bending the Note' features Holiday's face on record-shaped plinth with dog Pepe.
- Thomas J Price proposal 'Held Within' abstracts intimate photo of Holiday with Pepe.
- La Vaughn Belle proposal 'Billie Holiday: Still, at the Crossing' shows Holiday at reflective pool.
- Tavares Strachan proposal 'The Very Thought of You' creates architectural vessel for Holiday's memory.
- Nikesha Breeze proposal depicts Holiday carved from black marble for visitors to sing at base.
- Exhibition of renderings at Jamaica Performing Arts Center through end of May.
- Selection panel includes family members and scholars; budget $600,000.
- Winning proposal announced summer 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Thomas J Price
- Tanda Francis
- Nekisha Durrett
- La Vaughn Belle
- Tavares Strachan
- Nikesha Breeze
- Billie Holiday
- Katherine Walker
- Elizabeth Jennings Graham
- Helen Rodríguez Trías
- William P. Gottlieb
Institutions
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA)
- Percent for the Art program
- She Built NYC
- Jamaica Performing Arts Center
- Library of Congress
- Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Fund Collection
- Music Division
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
- Obama Presidential Center and Museum
Locations
- New York City
- Queens
- Jamaica Performing Arts Center
- Philadelphia
- Baltimore
- Harlem
- Staten Island
- Robbins Reef Lighthouse
- Brooklyn
- Portland
- Oregon
- Washington, DC
- Chicago
- Bahamas
- US Virgin Islands
- United Kingdom
- Times Square