BEACON

BEACON is a public art installation inspired by American Inventor Lewis H. Latimer and his 1881 patent for the electric lamp and 1882 patent for processing carbon filament in the incandescent light bulb. The BEACON installation replicates Latimer’s mechanical drawing of the incandescent light bulb and carbon filament. Designed by Shervone Neckles, BEACON stands as a testament to the brilliance of Lewis H. Latimer and his legacy. The lack of education about Lewis Latimer encouraged Shervone to create something in hopes that it would educate others about his innovation and contribution to American History. “I wanted to make something that would spark their [young people's] curiosity to learn more about Latimer,” says Shervone.

Since its first installation at the Lewis Latimer House Museum in Queens, BEACON has been on a journey. BEACON traveled to Downtown Brooklyn (NY), Museum of Science (Boston, MA), and Latimer’s hometown (Chelsea, MA).

Hear from artist Shervone Neckles and the Beam Center Fellows team.

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About the artist, Shervone Neckles

Shervone Neckles is an American-born, Afro-Grenadian interdisciplinary artist and educator. As an artist, Shervone makes embellished textiles, prints, sculptures, installations, and public art in which she intricately melds Afro-Caribbean heritage into her diverse creations — capturing history across America. In addition to her studio work, Shervone is an accomplished administrator who empowers artists to honor and preserve their legacies. Both her work as an artist and an arts administrator is informed by her training as an educator; she holds a Masters of Arts Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. In her creative practice, research is the foundation of all her work. When serving artists, she is guided by the principle of practicality: what is most relevant and what can be put into immediate use.