Tag: Museum Studies

(Audio Interview+) Ritual and Recall: A Discussion with Anthony McKissic

.Reading time 1 minute.

In this interview with Anthony McKissic, we talk about ritual and recall in Black art and Black spaces. A resident of Baltimore, Maryland, McKissic was born and raised in Washington, DC. A part of his cultural upbringing is rooted in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. He attended Morgan State University and the Maryland Institute College of Art. McKissic is currently pursuing a doctorate in English from Morgan State University while continuing to teach with Baltimore City Schools.

recently photographed at a Holly Springs, Mississippi juke joint [photographer, Anthony McKissic]

McKissic talks up Blues artists Jr. Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside, and Cotton Patch Soul Blues a form of Blues music with roots in Mississippi.

Included here are links to a couple of the Blues artists that McKissic is inspired by:

R.L. Burnside and family. R.L. Burnside on guitar, Burnside’s grandson on drums. Song title, “Boogie Instrumental”

[source: YouTube, Alan Lomax Collection]

“I Came to Praise His Name” by Leo Bud Welch [source: YouTube, Easy Eye Sound]

(Oral History) Self Care 2020 with Dr. Redell Hearn

.Reading time 2 minutes.
Dr. Redell Hearn meditating in the sun at 1,000 Figs restaurant

Background: In 2015, Bree Newsome Bass made national headlines when she scaled a 30-foot flag pole at the South Carolina statehouse and took down the Confederate flag. In an article entitled, “Charlottesville Reinforced That Self-Care Is an Essential Part of My Activism,” (SELF Magazine) Bass shares the importance of self-care stating, “I have a tendency to go, go, go until I burn out…self-care did not come naturally to me at first…since committing myself to social justice a few years ago, it’s something I’ve developed out of necessity.” VisitBlackHistory.com has invited participants to take part in an oral history project that will document the role of self-care in this day and time. We are specifically examining the individual impact of COVID-19, witnessing recent police brutality in the Black community, and the subsequent demonstrations that have followed.

(Full Oral History Interview) Self Care 2020 with Dr. Redell Hearn

42:43 Sophia V. Nelson: Absolutely. Well, my second to last question is, who is Dr. Redell Hearn?

42:52 DH: Whoo! [chuckle] Well, there’s two people in there. Let’s see, who is Dr. Redell? Dr. Redell Hearn is a museologist, with over 25 years’ experience in the museum field, from working in museums to teaching about museums, inside this country, all over this country, as well as abroad. That’s Dr. Redell Hearn, the thinker. Redell Hearn, the spiritual practitioner, is the creator of Soul-Sip, which is a class that blends the sacred and social elements of guided meditation and wine appreciation with the focus to help relax the mind, elevate the senses and savor the moment, and that’s really a metaphor for how Redell lives her life.

Full Transcript: Self-Care-2020_Dr-R.-Hearn-09-02-20Download
Row of houses along Bayou St. John
Folk art. Algiers Point, New Orleans, Louisiana

Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery Reopens

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Image used with permission: Former Minnesota Viking, two-time Super Bowl Champion, Tyrone Carter at site of George Floyd Protest. © John Steitz.

Founded in 2018, the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG) will reopen its doors on Tuesday, August 18th, with new exhibits created in response to the death of #GeorgeFloyd and subsequent #BlackLivesMatter protests. If you are in the Minnesota area, check them out. Visit the Museum’s website to get your tickets. Follow their Facebook page for updates, as well. Below is a list of new exhibitions:

  • “Gather In His Name: From Protests to Healing for George Floyd” a photography collection by John Steitz
  • “Un-Heard,” a video compilation of performing artists expressing the emotions of the movement
  • photography by Jabari Holloman
  • a documentary based on the first day of protests in Minneapolis created by Unicorn Riot
  • a plywood art mural created by DeSean Hollie
  • “A Reckoning: 100 Years after the Lynchings in Duluth,” an exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the lynching of Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie in 1920. Produced in collaboration with In Black Ink.

Image used with permission: Former Minnesota Viking, two-time Super Bowl Champion, Tyrone Carter at site of George Floyd Protest. © John Steitz. https://steitzphotos.wordpress.com/georgefloydprotests/

FULL STORY/SOURCE: https://spokesman-recorder.com/2020/08/13/minnesota-african-american-heritage-museum-reopens-aug-18-with-timely-exhibits-precautions/

#VisitBlackHistory #Museum #BlackMuseums #CivilRights #BlackLivesMatter #ExhibitUpdates #ArtHistory #Museums #BlackHistory #Minnesota

(Photos) Preservation of a Site Related to Georgia Midwife, Beatrice Borders

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Preservationists in early stages to preserve Georgia Williams Nursing home and historic site related to the legacy of Georgia midwife, Beatrice Borders

Post originally appeared on Ethos Preservation Instagram page:

Preservation in action! Today this group kicked off a Preservation Plan for the Georgia B. Williams Nursing Home in Camilla, Georgia! Here, Beatrice Borders, a third generation African-American midwife, operated a nursing home from 1941 to 1971, delivering over 6,000 babies! Providing an essential service through segregation and the Jim Crow era, Beatrice provided a safe place for expectant mothers, and “birthed a city.” #thisplacematters#PreservingHope @thegeorgiatrust#preservationplanning @visitblackhistory#grassroots #kickoff

Atlanta Streetwear a Conversation at the High Museum of Art

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Via the High Museum of Art Instagram page:

Tickets are now on sale for a conversation on ATL Streetwear at the High Museum on January 8, moderated by Kenny Burns, and featuring Marina Skye, founder of Set by Skye; Renaldo Nehemiah, Creative Director at wish; and Kwassi Byll-Cataria, owner of Moda404 Men’s Boutique. Learn about the trajectory and trends of Atlanta streetwear and how @virgilabloh fits into the story.

Official event announcement, via High Museum

Morehouse Resounds Africa

.Reading time 2 minutes.
Morehouse College of Music. Photo: Ali’a B. Edwards

Written by: Ali’a B. Edwards

The Africana Music Experience was a delightful live music event held Tuesda, November 19 at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center on the campus of Morehouse College. I attended the concert to feel connected and inspired by the music of my African heritage, with the hope of experiencing a spontaneous wave of creativity that would flow from the musicians through the audience and into me. The program did not disappoint my hopes and provided me many moments of sonically-inspired pleasure.

The Morehouse College Glee Club gained at least one new fan as a result of their performance. I’m proud to count myself among their new and continuing admirers. Before they gave their ovation-worthy performance, the Morehouse College Afro Pop Ensemble with Special Guests did a wonderful rendition of Fela Kuti’s “Water Get No Enemy.” With far fewer players than in Kuti’s renowned, dozens deep bands, the sound they created filled the hall with musical goodness.

The Ensemble set the arc of the concert that the Morehouse College Glee Club followed with “Betelehemu” by Olātúnji. Their choreography was bold and powerfully performed and their acapella song was done in perfect pitch, tone and harmony. Kudos to the directors of these fine ensembles.

The show finale brought us dozens of kalimba players who formed the Kalimba Ensemble, together with the Morehouse College Quartet and the aforementioned groups performing a traditional song, “Lithisikiya.” As a new loyal fan, I will be attending future live music events produced by the Morehouse College Division of Creative and Performing Arts and encourage fellow ATLiens and visitors to join the audience at your next opportunity.