While Juneteenth, which marks the abolition of slavery at the end of the Civil War, has been celebrated at the Academy Art Museum for the last six years, this will be the first time that AAM’s director Ben Simons and his colleague Damika Baker have worked together in planning the all day celebration next Saturday.
In their interview with the Spy, Ben and Damika talk about how the art museum began its own tradition of hosting this special event and how the AAM is building stronger ties with their community with year long programming that celebrates African-American Art and Artists.
Free activities include the screening of the highly regarded film, 13th, a NETFLIX original documentary by Ava DuVernay, Director of Selma; a Community BBQ in the Museum’s Courtyard; and the opportunity for individuals and families to create their own quilt patch, using slave codes. Participants will also be able to view and learn more about the Sesquicentennial 1864 Maryland Slave Emancipation Quilt. For the 150th anniversary of emancipation in Maryland, the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) commissioned a quilt to visualize the stories of people, places, and events in every Maryland county and Baltimore City before, at the time of, or after the ratification of Article 24. In addition, there will be entertainment by local artists and keynote address by Dr. Joan M.E. Gaither, designer of the Emancipation Quilt. Local vendors include Talbot Rising, Talbot Mentors, Neighborhood Service Center, Imagination Library and LivAgain/ArtBar.
This video is approximately one minute in length. For information, visit academyartmuseum.org/juneteeth or contact Damika Baker, Director of Development (410) 822-2787 or [email protected].
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