Media
Welcome to the Media page for Video Games: The Great Connector. Here you can explore highlights from the exhibition’s opening night ceremony alongside press coverage and additional media content. From the voices of community leaders and industry professionals to the excitement of guests experiencing the exhibition for the first time, this page offers a closer look at the stories, perspectives, and moments that shaped the launch of this event.
The Video Games: The Great Connector exhibition held an opening reception on February 2, 2024 at the 60-year-old Harlem School of the Arts.
Let’s look back at some of the messages shared by guests from the opening night reception on February 2 and the opening remarks that began the evening.
The evening began with Stan Altman, President of the Harlem Gallery of Science and Director of the Gaming Pathways Program welcoming those in attendance and highlighted the academic and career opportunities that New York City’s commitment to expand the digital gaming industry provides young Black and Latinx youth. James Horton, President of the Harlem School of the Arts welcomes the guests to the Harlem School of the Arts.
Curtis Archer and Karen Murray were introduced and emceed the remainder of the program that included remarks by Pat Kaufman, Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment who spoke celebrating the Gallery’s initiatives, including this exhibition Video Games: The Great Connector Exhibition. Additional speakers included Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President, Tony Liss, Provost and Professor of Physics at City College of New York, Baron Carr, from the Greater Chamber of Commerce and Sylvia Aguiñaga, a game designer who game is featured in the exhibition.
Throughout the evening, guests visited the exhibition and enjoyed the opportunities offered for game playing and engaging each other in conversation. A number of those in attendance were interviewed and their thoughts are shared below is short video clips.
Perspectives from Educational and Industry Leaders
The opening night also featured remarks and reflections from industry professionals and educators who brought unique perspectives to the evening.
YiYi Zhang, a lawyer, game developer, illustrator, and member of the Board of Directors of GUMBO Collective Inc., spoke about creativity and community in gaming. Anthony Casasnovas, from the NYC Public School Division of Instructional & Information Technology and Director of the Battle of the Boroughs, highlighted opportunities for students to connect through competition and learning. Alia Jones-Harvey, Associate Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, shared insights on the city’s role in fostering a vibrant gaming industry.
Educators and creators also contributed their voices. Christopher Grant of University Heights High School and Mashiq Ahmed, a chemistry teacher at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn, reflected on the importance of gaming in education. Jaye “Letta J” Watts, Founder and CEO of Coexist Gaming, and Jose Sanchez, architect, game designer, and theorist as well as director of the Plethora Project, emphasized innovation and inclusivity in design and play. Heather Jackson, Managing Director of Astro Logic and publisher of Star Stuff, a game featured in the exhibition, offered her perspective as both a producer and advocate for independent creators.
