-
"I was raised by my mother Helene Johnson, the Harlem Renaissance Poet and Dorothy West, the Harlem
Renaissance novelist. They were cousins who were born within the same year and died a few years
apart. How to celebrate their lives? My first thought was to offer a scholarship to women whose
lives closely paralleled theirs. But, there already were such scholarships. Then I remembered how
difficult it was for them to find time to write. Both of them had to have pedantic, time consuming
jobs just to be able to survive; time to write became more and more of a luxury. So, I created
Renaissance House as a tribute to them both. It is located in the former home of Helene Johnson
which is next door to the home of Dorothy West. They were both prodigies of a sort and both writers
of such substance that they helped create the Harlem Renaissance, a period in the arts which has not
been rivaled since.
When the two teenaged girls arrived in New York City, they were beset with issues unknown to them in
their native Boston. The reality of everyday, urban life, of working at a job and supporting a
family took them away from their writing. When asked why she stopped her major flow of writing at
such a young age, Helene Johnson said: "In order to create, a person needs time in which to do
nothing, to simply stare out a window and let thoughts come to them." That is the essence of
Renaissance House. A place to muster up one's energy and burst forward with works that may have had
to take a back seat in one's everyday world. Renaissance House is a program of the Helene Johnson
and Dorothy West Foundation For Artists In Need. The foundation funds specific needs for all artists
especially in the fields of residency." Abigail McGrath
> Artists Residency
-
Renaissance House offers the artist the greatest gift of all; Time. Time to think, time to sort
things out, time to create without fear of failing. We offer artists with the brightest potential an
inspiring, safe environment in which to create substantive work.
> Donation
-
"Never in My Wildest Dreams" is the story of a courageous journalist who helped change the face and
focus of television news.
> See Residents
-
Renaissance House has enjoyed press locally, nationally and internationally.
> See Articles
