Butler Institute to mark Black History Month with new exhibit, lecture | The museum will also highlight important Black artists from its collection.
The Butler Institute of American Art will open Black History Month with a special lecture on 10 contemporary artists and a new exhibit that blends social and political commentary, folk art and graphic design.
In addition, the Butler will highlight important Black artists from its collection and offer a museum-education program for children in the Youngstown City Schools.
“Our partnership with The Youngstown Ohio Chapter of The Links, Inc. brings Youngstown City School children to the museum … after a training program where these students will volunteer as young docents,” said Susan Carfano, executive director’s assistant at the Butler Institute.
“Black History Month is important in the art world because it provides a dedicated space to celebrate and recognize the significant contributions of Black artists, highlighting their unique perspectives, cultural richness, and often underrepresented stories, which can serve as a powerful tool for preserving history, promoting social dialogue, and fostering greater understanding and appreciation of diversity within the art world,” said Carfano.
“Throughout the month, we will provide docent-led tours for area students and adults as we focus on the significant role that Black people’s work, across various forms, has played in shaping American history and culture,” Carfano added.
Black History Month programs include:
“10 Contemporary Artists: Dr. Virginia ‘Dee’ Banks.” Zona Auditorium, Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44502. 330-743-1107. Dr. Virginia “Dee” Banks will deliver a talk on 10 contemporary artists, some of whom are represented in the Butler’s collection. Featured artists include Billy Gerard Frank, Barkley Hendricks, Simone Leigh, Kerry James Marshall, Julie Mehretu, Amy Sherald, Mikalene Thomas, Kara Walker, Carrie Mae Weems and Kehinde Wiley. Professionally, Banks is recognized as the Mahoning Valley’s premier infectious disease specialist, but she’s also a visual artist and Butler trustee. 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 2.
“Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.: The Art is on the Wall, Not on the Posters.” Segall Print Gallery, Butler North, Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44502. 330-743-1107. On display from Feb. 2-March 30.
Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. is an American printer, book artist, and papermaker best known for social and political commentary, particularly in printed posters. Kennedy creates prints, posters, and postcards from handset wood and metal type, oil-based inks, and eco-friendly and affordable chipboard. Many of the posters are inspired from proverbs, and quotes Kennedy locates or quotes that potential clients provide.
Having grown up during the civil rights era of the 1960s, Kennedy saw the rise of Black nationalism in the 1970s, and now living in the post-civil rights era, Kennedy has seen how these have shaped Black identity and has used these as inspiration in his work. His work is a blend of social commentary, folk art, and graphic design, creating resonant pieces that challenge traditional boundaries of art and politics. Kennedy isn’t afraid to push the boundaries and uses large graphic typography, bold colors and language that catch the eye and inspires others in the design field.
Kennedy is known to use the words of popular activists like Rosa Parks and peaceful protests like the Selma to Montgomery marches to illustrate the names of lost lives during these movements. The words themselves are central to Kennedy’s work, serving not just as visuals but to convey messages that are thought-provoking and sometimes confrontational.
Kennedy’s work has been exhibited at a range of museums, galleries and libraries, including the Museum of Modern Art Library and the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.: Meet-the-Artist Reception. Segall Print Gallery, Butler North, Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44502. 330-743-1107. The Butler Institute will host a public reception for artist Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. during his exhibit, “The Art is on the Wall, Not on the Posters.” 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15.
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