The City of Tulsa commemorated the centennial of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre with a public art project celebrating the vibrant community in the Historic Greenwood District known as Black Wall Street. Comprised of black-owned businesses that emerged in the early 20th century, in 1921, Black Wall Street was subject to racist attacks and destructive urban renewal projects in the 1950s and 1960s. The City of Tulsa, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the University of Tulsa, and artist Rick Lowe partnered mark the centennial. 28+ local artists developed public art installations which were presented as a biennial. Art events included visual art, performances, virtual experiences, historical tours, and documentaries presented throughout Greenwood to tell the past, present, and future of Black Wall Street, deepening the collective understanding of the Greenwood story.

“In Tulsa, the racial and economic disparities that still exist today can be traced to the 1921 race massacre. The city as a whole suffers when economic inequality touches any neighborhood. The Greenwood Art Project will help encourage connections and engage citizens to understand the dangers of hatred, the power of resilience and the importance of reconciliation.”

– Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum