Brian Slattery Photo
Boyd and Krikko pitch the dream.
A world-renowned Nigerian pencil artist working in the Hill is thinking big again.
The artist, Gregory “Krikko” Obbott, enlisted Hill activist Ann Boyd to help him pitch an expansion of his Krikko’s Hill Museum of the Arts to Mayor Toni Harp and a small group of community members. He’d like to add on to his museum on West Street, to put in an animation workshop and after-school center.
“We’re looking to bring in the youth from the immediate area,” Boyd said, “to work out what their dreams are.”
Krikko announced the plan two years ago to turn the garage next to the museum into a proposed workshop and after-school center. The city had taken the property in a tax foreclosure in 2012 and approved its sale to Krikko in 2014.
Krikko acquired the building that houses the museum itself (also from the city) in 2005 and spent eight years and $450,000 reconstructing the inside as a home for his artwork. Earlier this year, Krikko and community activist Peter Webster led a series of arts workshops for children and teenagers in New Haven’s public libraries.
The latest presentation took place on Friday. Later Harp said she has asked an economic development staffer to investigate possible state funding that could help Krikko pull off the expansion. Harp indicated her delight in the museum, which she said she was visiting for the first time.
“I will work with you,” Harp said. “Where there is a vision, there is often manifestation.” Harp also said she will also help Krikko to get his New Haven mural (pictured) back into Union Station, where it had hung until the station’s recent renovation.
The occasion was a chance for some music from Michael Mills and a group of friends, who played music in an African vein from a second-floor balcony.
Meanwhile, those who attended the presentation had a chance to take in Krikko’s monumental art.
Guests leaving the presentation were greeted with a series of protest signs, accusing Krikko of failing to connect with the community. This sentiment was echoed, more mildly, by several people in the neighborhood who passed by while this reporter was outside taking photographs. To them, the museum seemed never to be open, and their kids had never been invited to any programs there. This made them question how oriented the artist really was to his immediate neighborhood.
“You should be able to introduce yourself to the community,” said Howard Boyd, a property manager at the nearby Columbus West housing development and an active member of the Hill North Management Team.
“You have to unite with the neighborhood, and you have to unite with the people,” said Michelle Boyd (Ann’s daughter), one of those holding the signs.
Ann, who was leaving the museum while Michelle was speaking, said of Krikko: “He knows, he knows.”
Krikko is a good man. I have no doubt that with the help of long-time Hill resident-activists like Boyd, he will be able to make that connection to the neighborhood. Good luck!!