In the 1920s, Harlem, N.Y., was the center of black culture that became known as the "Harlem Renaissance," a time when black literature, art, music, dance and social commentary began to flourish in that particular section of the Big Apple.

At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, I.P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium at South Carolina State University will hold an opening reception and business after hours for the "Harlem on My Mind" exhibit, which will be in Orangeburg through January 2008.

"Harlem on My Mind" is a photographic mural exhibition that was displayed at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1969. The exhibit features the early years of Harlem -- from 1900, before blacks began moving to the area, until 1968.

When the exhibit concluded, it was given to the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture in NYC. The exhibit was then donated to SCSU and has not been seen anywhere in the world other than New York City and S.C. State.

The Stanback Museum is currently displaying years 1900-1939 and will exhibit the remaining years at a later date. "Harlem on My Mind" includes the work of some of Harlem's most treasured photographers, among them James VanDerZee and Gordon Parks.

Photographs include those of Harlem's literary greats -- Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Richard Wright; its politicians -- Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell Jr.; and its musicians -- Ethel Waters, Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. The exhibit also includes photographs of everyday people who gave life to the legendary community.

The photographs are displayed with articles from publications such as the New York Times and the Amsterdam News, which helped record the life of the historic New York neighborhood.

Allon Schoener was the curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 1969 "Harlem on My Mind" exhibition. His celebrated "Harlem on My Mind" is the classic record of Harlem life during some of the most exciting and most turbulent years of its history.

Schoener is a well known cultural biographer, author and exhibition originator who has received international acclaim for his books and exhibits. His works include "New York: An Illustrated History of the People," "The Italian Americans" and "The American Jewish Album."

Schoener will be featured during the reception, which will incorporate a book discussion and signing of the new version of "Harlem on My Mind," which he edited.

The opening reception will also include a wine tasting, live music on the patio, swing and ragtime dancing and a Harlem Renaissance planetarium show.

The event is dedicated to the great Max Roach (1924-2007), known as a father of modern jazz who loved Harlem.

As a teenager, Roach worked briefly with Duke Ellington's orchestra at the Paramount Theater and with Charlie Parker at Monroe's Uptown House in Harlem, where he took part in jam sessions that helped lay the groundwork for bebop.

T&D Features Writer Candace Newson can be reached by e-mail at cnewson@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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