D.C.'s Black Art Education Legacy Takes Center Stage
The Anacostia Community Museum, reopening its doors on Saturday after a brief hiatus, will showcase a new exhibit – "A Bold and Beautiful Vision: A Century of Black Arts Education in Washington, DC, 1900-2000." This immersive experience sheds light on the local educators and institutions that nurtured the artistic talents of D.C.'s renowned Black artists like Duke Ellington, Elizabeth Catlett, and Billy Taylor.
Over 85 artworks and objects paint a vivid picture of this artistic heritage. Visitors will encounter prints from the city's pioneering Black-owned galleries, personal paintbrushes used by the esteemed artist and teacher Alma Thomas, and works donated by the late artist Sam Gilliam.
The exhibit also pays homage to the legendary 1960s silkscreen prints by Lou Stovall and Lloyd McNeill, both instrumental figures in the D.C. art scene. These prints were created for a concert series organized by The New Thing, a prominent Adams Morgan-based youth arts organization.
"A Bold and Beautiful Vision" extends beyond artifacts. Archival photographs and video interviews displayed throughout the gallery spaces bring to life the crucial role of segregated schools like Dunbar, Armstrong, and McKinley Tech in nurturing Black artistic talent. The exhibit also acknowledges the enduring contributions of Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Howard University, renowned for producing generations of artistic giants.
Interactive installations cater to families and aspiring artists. Visitors can create their own artwork, express gratitude to an inspiring art teacher through heartfelt notecards, or unleash their inner musician with a handheld keyboard and mini DJ set.
This exhibit marks a significant shift for the museum, its first fully art-centric showcase in years. By drawing from the Smithsonian's vast collection of works by Washington-based Black artists, "A Bold and Beautiful Vision" aspires to not only celebrate their brilliance but also bring long-overlooked stories of D.C.'s Black art education to light.
The museum will further enrich the experience with panel discussions and hands-on workshops throughout opening weekend. "A Bold and Beautiful Vision" is open to the public through March 2, 2025.