Princeton Piano

Piano on the Plaza

Piano on the Plaza

Public Art | Arts Council of Princeton | Princeton, NJ | 2022

As part of the Piano on the Plaza public art initiative, Ronah Harris partnered with the Arts Council of Princeton to transform an upright piano into an interactive public artwork celebrating the legacy of Black musicians and their contributions to American music.

The piano features a vibrant collage of influential blues and jazz pianists, honoring the creativity, innovation, and cultural influence of artists who shaped American musical traditions. Installed in downtown Princeton, the work invited the public to engage with these histories through music, visual art, and shared creative expression.

Blending portraiture, cultural storytelling, and functional design, the project transformed an everyday instrument into a space for public participation and cultural remembrance. The work reflects Harris's broader artistic practice of using familiar objects and accessible materials to explore Black cultural history, celebrate creative legacies, and connect art with community life.

Project Partner: Arts Council of Princeton
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Medium: Mixed-media collage on upright piano

Arts Council of Princeton — Princeton Piano Project
Project Coverage — MCCC Voice

0. Hazel Scott

1. Little Richard

2. Thelonious Monk

3. Ray Charles

4. Oscar Peterson

5. Champion Jack Dupree

6. Mary Lou Williams

7. Scott Joplin

8. Nina Simone

9. Ellis Marsalis

10. Marian McPartland

11. ALICE COLTRANE

12. Count Basie

13. Chick Corea

14. Geri Allen

15. Professor Longhair

16. Eddie Palmieri

17. Marcus Roberts

18. Fats Waller

19. Duke Ellington

20. Herbie Hancock

21. Younger Hazel Scott

22. Jelly Roll Morton

23. Jason Moran

24. Paul Robeson

25. Dr. John

26. Lillian Hardin Armstrong

27. Mature Mary Lou Williams

28. Young Herbie Hancock

 

29. Julia Lee

30. Meade Lux Lewis