Two exhibitions at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce can now be experienced virtually.
The museum is offering video tours of “Queens of the Heartland,” a look at 30 innovative Ohio Black women, and “The Art of Soul!,” the museum’s seventh annual art show.
The exhibitions opened last fall but had to close due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the state.
The “Queens of the Heartland” tour is hosted by Hadley Drodge, an assistant curator at the museum, and New York City-based artist Nichole Washington, who created photo illustrations for the exhibition.
The pair walk through the show and share highlights about Ohio Black women who influenced arts, literature, education, science and politics.
“African American women have been American heroes,” Drodge said last fall after the exhibition opened. “We’re really looking at what it means to be an American and answering that question in a new way — I think in a more honest way — with the faces of these Black women.”
Rosa Rojas, lead curator at the museum, gives viewers an inside look into “The Art of Soul!”
Twenty-two artists from around the country were selected to be part of the juried show. This year’s theme is “impact” and explores what influences us as human beings and the impact we have on others.
Credit: LISA POWELL
“I want people to think about the mark they are leaving. Every time an artist puts a mark on a background, it’s intentional,” Rojas said in October. “Then the viewer coming in is adding their own story to it from their own experiences.”
The virtual tours can be found on youtube.com by searching their names: “Queens of the Heartland” and “Art of Soul!”
The museum is also offering online programming events throughout Black History Month in February and into March.
Sunday, Feb. 21, 4 p.m.: Harriet Beecher Stowe House Queens of the Queen City: Cincinnati Stories of African American Women, presented by Hadley Drodge, assistant curator, NAAMCC Since the 1800s, Ohio was at the heart of social change led by African American women. It was the first free state established from the Northwest Territory, and it is home to some of the earliest universities for African Americans. RSVP for this discussion through this Eventbrite.com link.
Sat., Feb. 27, Noon: The “Art of Soul!” Awards Ceremony and Exhibit closing event will feature an artist panel discussion, a virtual Art of Soul tour, and an awards ceremony. Register for this free education program through this Zoom link. For more information, email InfoNAAMCC@ohiohistory.org.
Thursday, March 11, 7 p.m.: “Remember the Ladies:” The 1850 Women’s Rights Convention in Salem, OH, presented by Cathy Nelson and Ohio Humanities. The fight for women’s equality began over two centuries ago. Learn about their pervasive struggle through letters and speeches from the fearless and tireless women who fought for their rights, from Abigail Adams to Sojourner Truth and others, at the 1850 Women’s Rights Convention in Salem, Ohio. Register for this free education program through this Zoom link.
