About
Project Blue Space is an interdisciplinary research and public humanities initiative investigating the profound historical, cultural, and political relationships between Black communities and bodies of water across the African Diaspora.
Our name is inspired by a dual resonance:
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The Metaphysical
In environmental psychology, "Blue Space" refers to the presence of visible water—lakes, rivers, and shores. These environments are proven to lower stress, quiet the mind, and restore emotional well-being, offering a natural sanctuary for the spirit. -
The Spirit of the Blues
In Black culture, "blue" transcends a mere color or mood; it represents a profound frequency of being. As expressed through Jazz and the Blues, it is a space that holds both the weight of historical pain and the limitless possibility for transformation.
Founded by visual artist Shikeith, Project Blue Space expands a studio practice that has long investigated "blueness" as a psychic space for reflection. We view water as an elemental vessel of memory—a witness to history and an agent of change. Our mission is to uncover "submerged histories" and reconnect contemporary communities to this powerful global narrative.
Our Work
Explore History: Our primary commitment is to preserve and amplify the histories connecting Black communities to aquatic environments. Through rigorous archival inquiry, art, and storytelling, we illuminate submerged narratives that traditional accounts have often overlooked. We actively work to sustain the enduring legacy of Black cultural production, viewing water not just as a historical site but as a constant source of expressive tradition, from the freedom narratives of the Underground Railroad on Pittsburgh's three rivers to the transformative language of the Blues.
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Foster Scholarly Dialogue
We invite a focused cohort of independent writers, scholars, and thinkers to produce short, public-facing essays that interpret “blue space” as geography, metaphor, and lived experience. This writing initiative expands public understanding of how the blues—both as sound and as a cultural tradition—continues to shape Black knowledge-making, creativity, and transformation. Together, these essays build an accessible archive of ideas that connects scholarship to community conversation. -
Create Community Spaces
We design and host public programs that activate riverbanks as welcoming civic spaces for gathering, remembrance, and celebration. Our flagship open-air event, Feeling The Spirit In The Dark, brings neighbors together through performance, art, music, and shared ritual—honoring Black social traditions, while strengthening relationships to place.
Project Blue Space is powered by Producer Hub and made possible by the generous support of the Mellon Foundation's Humanities In Place division.
