Collage with the Louis Armstrong House Museum

The Louis Armstrong House Museum is thrilled to partner with the Whitney Museum of American Art to host a hands-on collage workshop on January 12th from 11:00am to 4:00pm, inspired by the exhibit Edges of Ailey! Artists of all ages are invited to join us for a day filled with creativity, music, and fun as we explore themes of improvisation, experimentation, and play facilitated by our very own Charanya Ramakrishnan.

Did you know that Louis Armstrong was also a prolific collage artist? Using photographs, letters, promotional materials, newspaper clippings, and more, Armstrong created vibrant works of art on the walls of his home, in scrapbooks, and even on over 500 reel-to-reel tape boxes, which are now part of the Armstrong Archives. His innovative approach to collage mirrors the improvisational spirit of jazz, connecting music and visual art in unique ways.

Alvin Ailey, a longtime friend and collaborator of artist Romare Bearden, once said, “There’s so much music in Romie’s work.” Bearden’s artistry extended into the world of dance, as he designed sets and costumes for Ailey and others. In 1979, Bearden created the Bayou Fever series of collages, hoping they would inspire a dance choreographed by Ailey. While that dream was never realized, these stunning works are now on view in Edges of Ailey.

Celebrate the synergy of art, music, and movement at the Whitney—brought to life in collaboration with the Louis Armstrong House Museum!