“Water has played such a significant role in the lived experiences of Black people across the world. We’ve continually expressed ourselves and built language through its conditions and behaviors, because we are intrinsically tied to it. This has been my experience as an artist in the studio, and through Project Blue Space, we have the opportunity to help preserve these histories and expressions—serving as an essential link that protects and elevates Black histories tied to water, while making them widely accessible,” said Shikeith.
“With the generous backing of the Mellon Foundation, we’re now able to share these narratives in classrooms, community hubs, and public forums—making them real, impactful, and meaningful for everyone from kindergarteners to college students, and beyond.”
The first phase of Project Blue Space centers on Pittsburgh’s iconic Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers—waterways that once served as vital corridors for the Underground Railroad, hubs for Black dock labor, and routes for early jazz musicians migrating north. The project seeks to uncover and interpret these layered histories through archival research and storytelling, while also addressing present-day challenges such as environmental degradation and inequitable access to clean water in Black communities.
Set for summer 2026, Feeling the Spirit in the Dark will be the project’s central public event—an open-air celebration along Pittsburgh’s waterfront. Inspired by historic blue-light basement parties—intimate, often hidden gatherings that fostered joy, resistance, and connection in Black communities—the event brings these traditions into a shared public space.
By transforming a once-private ritual into a collective experience, the event serves as both tribute and reclamation, creating a living archive of Black cultural life. Alongside live music, dance, and intergenerational programming, the celebration will also function as a resource fair, offering tools and information on water justice, environmental action, and essential services.
Beyond this major gathering, Project Blue Space will continue through school visits, workshops, and collaborative events—ensuring its research and creative work remain accessible to local residents.
“Pittsburgh has been my home for nearly a decade, and it’s hard to live in a city defined by three rivers without being influenced by them, without feeling intrigued or wanting to explore more,” said Shikeith. “There are countless untold histories and narratives flowing through these waters—ones that I, and many others living here, were never taught. Project Blue Space stems from that sense of wonder and obligation. It’s about continuing the legacy of Black cultural production that uses water and the color blue as forms of expression—an extraordinary tradition that has sustained us over generations, and one I feel deeply thankful for and urgently committed to preserving.”
To learn more, visit Project Blue Space's website.
