Verna Hart

Verna Hart (January 28, 1961 – April 26, 2019) was an African-American artist known for her expressionist painting focused on jazz music. She was born and raised in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.

Early life Hart was born in Harlem to Earl Alphonso Hart, a detective sergeant in the New York City Police, and Pauline (Shomo) Hart. They moved to Middle Village, Queens when she was four.

In 1999 Jammin' Under the El was commissioned by the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The installation is a prominent feature at the Myrtle Avenue station (BMT Jamaica Line) in Brooklyn. It consists of stained glass windows on the platforms' sign structures as well as the station house depicting various scenes related to music.

Hart's work was shown throughout the 1980's and 1990's at James Powers (gallerist) gallery Spiral, a space in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn that focused on the work of Black artists. Hart was also exhibited at Dorsey's Fine Art Gallery.

Death Hart moved to Wilmington, Delaware almost 20 years before her death so she could get medical treatment for one of her children. She died at her home there. According to her son ago Romare, she had a seizure while she slept.

Popular culture

Hart's artwork has appeared in films, television shows, and on record covers, including Spike Lee's 1990 film Mo' Better Blues, and Branford Marsalis' 1992 album I Heard You Twice the First Time.