On May 4th, we celebrate the birthday of Keith Haring, one of the most influential American artists of the late 20th century. Born in 1958 in Reading, Pennsylvania, Haring’s distinctive style—characterized by bold lines, vibrant colors, and energetic figures—brought art out of elite galleries and into public spaces, making it accessible to everyone. Haring’s artistic journey began in New York City’s subway stations, where he created his famous “Subway Drawings” on unused advertising panels. His signature style quickly gained recognition, and before his untimely death in 1990 at the age of 31 from AIDS-related complications, he had created numerous public murals around the world. These works weren’t just artistic expressions but powerful social commentaries addressing issues like apartheid, drug addiction, and the AIDS crisis.
EverGreene has established itself as a leading force in conserving Haring’s public works across the country. Our conservation team brings extraordinary expertise in addressing the challenges associated with the preservation of public art— a crucial factor in preserving Haring’s iconic work.
Grace House Murals (New York City)
One of EverGreene’s most significant Haring conservation projects involved the rescue and restoration of the Grace House murals. Originally painted in 1983-84 for the Catholic youth center on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, these murals featured 13 of Haring’s signature dancing figures ascending a stairwell. When the building was sold in 2019, EverGreene’s conservation team undertook the painstaking process of extracting the murals from the walls—a delicate operation that required cutting through concrete to preserve these irreplaceable works.
Kenkeleba House Murals (New York City)
At the Kenkeleba House, an East Village cultural center dedicated to African American arts, EverGreene faced different conservation challenges with Haring’s murals. Created during a period when Haring was actively engaged with the diverse artistic community of downtown Manhattan, these murals had suffered from environmental damage and building infrastructure issues. EverGreene’s conservators developed a tailored approach that addressed moisture problems affecting the murals’ substrate while preserving Haring’s original brushwork and color vibrancy.
Public School Murals (Chicago)
Perhaps the most socially significant of EverGreene’s Haring conservation projects involved his murals in Chicago public schools. Created during Haring’s commitment to bringing art to children in underserved communities, these school murals embodied his belief that art could inspire and educate young people. EverGreene’s conservation team worked collaboratively with school administrators, art educators, and community members to restore these murals, which had endured decades of daily wear in active educational environments.
As we remember Keith Haring on his birthday, we also celebrate the power of public art to communicate, challenge, and unite communities across generational and social boundaries.
