Historic Frieze Restoration at Kingsborough Houses Earns Municipal Arts Award 

On April 21, a restored historic frieze at Brooklyn’s Kingsborough Houses was recognized by the Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) with a 2026 MASterworks Design Award.  

Exodus and Dance, an 80-plus-year-old sculpture by celebrated Harlem Renaissance artist Richmond Barthé, was honored for “Best Public Art Restoration” during the 25th annual awards ceremony as part of MAS’ Celebrating the City event at the Museum of the City of New York. The MASterworks Design Awards recognize projects that exemplify excellence across the municipal arts of architecture, landscape architecture, preservation, and public art. 

The Exodus and Dance preservation project was completed in 2025 after yearslong community advocacy efforts to restore the 8-foot by 80-foot-long frieze, also known by residents as “The Wall,” which had become weathered from decades of exposure. Installed as part of the Works Progress Administration-era public art program, the work tells a powerful story of migration, liberation, and cultural expression, and reflects the richness of African American history and identity. The restoration project involved carefully removing the frieze from the wall, transporting it to a conservation studio, and building a new wall to serve as the base for the frieze. 

“At NYCHA, preserving our communities also means preserving the history and culture that define them,” NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt said. “At Kingsborough Houses in Brooklyn, one extraordinary piece of that history has been brought back to life. This restoration ensures that Exodus and Dance will continue to inspire generations to come and remain a lasting symbol of pride for this community.”   

Ms. Bova-Hiatt noted that the project “goes beyond preservation,” as Kingsborough Houses residents helped shape decisions and were engaged throughout the process. Other related initiatives include an artist-in-residence program; oral histories; improvements to the surrounding space, including community-inspired murals on the backside of the wall; and a Migration heritage walk, which combines historic preservation, storytelling, and community voices.   

“It is powerful to see this project recognized at an industry level alongside the city’s most celebrated work, especially as part of NYCHA’s capital portfolio,” Vaidehi Mody, a NYCHA Senior Planning Consultant, said of the MASterworks Design Award. “This work was shaped through close collaboration between a dedicated project team, consultants, partners, and residents; it reflects the value of public housing investment in shaping stronger, more connected communities.”  

Joanne Wu, a Community Design Associate who helped lead the heritage walk effort at NYCHA, added: “This incredible artwork has been a cornerstone of the community for decades and we are excited for the frieze, the Migration installation, and the oral history project to continue to serve the community for years to come.”  

In addition to the MAS commendation, the Exodus and Dance restoration was also recognized on April 24 with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) New York’s annual Design Award, which celebrates outstanding architectural design projects.