Grammy-winning artist Solange has launched the Saint Heron Community Library, a groundbreaking initiative that makes her personal collection of art books available to the public for free borrowing. The new program, operated through her digital platform Saint Heron, allows book lovers and art enthusiasts to access rare and out-of-print publications that would otherwise be difficult to find or only available for on-site viewing at major libraries.
The collection features an impressive array of exhibition catalogs showcasing prominent Black artists, including works on Barbara Chase-Riboud, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Martin Puryear, Gary Simmons, and Pope.L. The library also houses significant texts such as Cedric Dover's influential 1960 publication "American Negro Art," along with catalogs for Adrian Piper exhibitions. These materials represent some of the most important documentation of Black artistic achievement and contemporary art discourse.
Users can borrow books for 45-day periods, with titles shipped directly to their homes rather than requiring visits to physical library locations. This accessibility feature sets the Saint Heron Community Library apart from traditional institutions like the New York Public Library, where similar rare materials must be consulted on-site. However, the program's popularity is already evident, as most books were already on loan at the time of the library's public announcement.
While art books form the core of the collection, the library extends beyond visual arts to include works by celebrated Black writers and thinkers such as Audre Lorde, Ntozake Shange, Octavia Butler, and Wanda Coleman. According to the Saint Heron Community Library website, the initiative aims "to propel the advancement of education, knowledge production, creative inspiration and skill development through culturally relevant Black and Brown literary works."
The library operates on a seasonal basis with book selections curated by guest experts, highlighting both renowned and contemporary artists working across various disciplines including poetry, visual art, critical theory, and design. This curatorial approach ensures that the collection remains dynamic and reflects current conversations in Black cultural production and scholarship.
This community library represents Solange's latest engagement with the art world, building on her previous collaborations and institutional partnerships. She has participated in programming connected to major exhibitions such as "Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and has worked with acclaimed artists like Wu Tsang on film projects that accompany her musical work. Additionally, she has brought her own performances to prestigious venues including the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, while screening films at museums nationwide, establishing herself as a significant figure bridging popular music and contemporary art.
