The Place of Storms, 2023, by Nazeer Sabree (Courtesy of Paradigm Gallery, Philadelphia)
The Place of Storms, 2023, by Nazeer Sabree (Courtesy of Paradigm Gallery, Philadelphia)
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23
January
2024
|
09:32 AM
America/New_York

It's a Celebration! Black History Month at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

January 23, 2024 - The Philadelphia Museum of Art is celebrating Black History Month throughout the month of February with a series of events and activities that pay homage to the legacy and richness of Black art and culture in the city of Philadelphia.

The museum’s month-long activities kick off on Friday, February 2 with a panel discussion led by industrial designer and 2023 Collab Design Excellence Award honoree Stephen Burks. He will be joined by creatives ruby onyinyechi amanze, a visual artist, and Sosena Solomon, a local filmmaker. Led by PMA curator Alisa Chiles, the panelists will discuss their experiences navigating the art world as Black artists. 

Two days later, on Feb. 4, from 10 am to 3 pm, the PMA will host its “Family Festival: Black Art, Black Stories” to celebrate storytelling in art and explore works by Black American artists. The family-friendly event also includes an interactive performance by Thembi Palmer, the founder of Story Adventures.

The museum’s signature Black History Month event will take place Friday, February 9. Activities include:

·       Daily guided tours of select works by Black artists, a sample of the PMA’s 1,400 works by over 250 Black artists in its collections

·       An architectural tour with a focus on the work of renowned architect Julian Abele, whose work includes the PMA’s iconic building

·       A photo booth with photographer and filmmaker Lendl Tellington

·       A pop-up exhibit of contemporary West Philadelphia artist Nazeer Sabree’s work that encompasses illustration, painting and collage. He will have a sticker giveaway for the first 500 visitors

·       A Sable Collective pop-up jewelry shop, comprised of Black and marginalized communities of artisans

Starting on Feb. 10, the PMA will welcome Gee’s Bend Quilts from the Collection , an exhibition which looks at quilting traditions in the Black community of Gee's Bend, Alabama, dating from the early twentieth century through 2005.

“The city of Philadelphia is made up of many diverse communities and it’s an honor to use the museum’s position to celebrate Black culture through community focused events and partnerships with Philadelphia’s Black artists, as we shine a spotlight on the works by Black artists in our collection,” said Sasha Suda, the George D. Widener Director and CEO. 

Throughout the month, PMA is also partnering with Visit Philly to provide “Little Free(dom) Libraries,” a selection of books from Black authors, near the West Entrance.

About the Philadelphia Museum of Art:
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a national and international destination for art, but first, we are Philadelphia’s Museum of Art—for all the many diverse communities of the city. Through our collections, exhibitions, events, educational activities, celebrations, and more, the PMA is a storyteller, and we welcome everyone to be part of the story—our doors are wide open. To learn more, visit www.philamuseum.org.

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Media Contact: 
pressroom@philamuseum.org
Maggie Fairs: Maggie.Fairs@philamuseum.org
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