CAAM Museum Notes - January-March 2016

Monday, January 18, 2016, 11am – 4pm | TARGET SUNDAYS AT CAAM Annual CAKE FOR KING Community Celebration

Accomplished women in science, technology, engineering, and math will discuss their careers in these maledominated fields, and how to succeed in these professions. RSVP preferred at 213.744-2024.

Join us for our annual recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday and his life’s work as a charismatic and dedicated leader of the modern civil rights movement. CAAM will offer an art workshop, documentaries, face painting, story-time, and slices of homemade birthday cake while supplies last.

Sunday, March 6, 2016, 2pm - 4pm l DISCUSSION Celebrating Women’s History Month Meet LA’s Own, NBC4 News Reporter, Beverly White

Saturday, January 23, 2016, 1PM - 3PM | WRITERS’ WORKSHOP The Community Writers Group Workshop

CWG’s mision is to preserve the histories of the peoples of the African Diaspora through the writing of personal narratives. For more information, please contact ewoodson@caamuseum.org.

Saturday, January 23, 2016, 2pm – 4pm | DISCUSSION Panel discussion with Sculptors Charles Dickson, Duane Paul, and Joe Sims

These sculptors will discuss what it means to be viable artists in the 21st century, and their views on being acknowledged as an “artist” vs “Black artist.” RSVP preferred at 213.744.2024.

Saturday, January 30, 2016, 1pm – 3pm l ARTISTS’ TALK Abstraction Today: A Conversation with African American Women Artists

Chelle Barbour, April Bey, Holly Tempo, and Lisa Diane Wedgeworth, whose art can be seen in the exhibition Hard Edged will discuss their work from a variety of perspectives. RSVP preferred to 213.744.2024.

Beverly White is a distinguished and award-winning former news anchor and current NBC4 General Assignment Reporter. CAAM is honored to recognize her thirty year career in an intimate conversation. RSVP preferred at 213.744.2024.

Sunday, March 13, 2016, 12:45pm - 4pm l TARGET SUNDAYS AT CAAM DOCUMENTARY SCREENING & BASIC BALLET CLASS

A Ballerina’s Tale: The Incredible Rise of Misty Copeland (2015, 85 mins) This documentary explores the rise of African American ballerina, Misty Copeland, who is the first Black woman to hold the prestigious position as principal dancer in the American Ballet Theater in New York City. It examines the issues of race and body image in the classical ballet world. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A session and beginner’s level ballet barre taught by Robyn Gardenhire, who is featured in the documentary and who is the founding director of City Ballet of LA. Suitable for all ages. RSVP preferred at 213.744.2024.

Saturday, March 19, 2016, 1:30pm - 4pm l RECEPTION & ARTIST WALK-THROUGH

Saturday, February 6, 2016, 1pm – 3pm | PROP-MAKING WORKSHOP

Please join us at a reception to meet and celebrate with artist Overton Loyd, followed by a walk-through of the exhibition Rhythm of Vision: The Artistry of Overton Loyd with the artist and Vida L. Brown, CAAM’s Visual Arts Curator. RSVP preferred at 213.744.2024.

Lynn Rossi and Nichelle Evans, whose works are currently on view in the CAAM exhibition Evolution of the Revolution will help workshop participants create a prop of the North Star. All materials provided. RSVP preferred at 213.744.2024.

Saturday, March 19, 2016, 1pm – 3pm l WORKSHOP SURREAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Sunday, February 7, 2016, 2pm – 4pm | LECTURE Black History Month | Carter G. Woodson African American History Series, 2016

African American Politicians During Reconstruction Reconstruction (1863–1875) yielded the active participation of African Americans (including thousands of former slaves) in the political, economic, and social life of the South. Learn more about the pioneering African American Reconstruction politicians who held office in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. RSVP preferred at 213.744.2024.

Sunday, February 14, 2016, 11am – 5pm | TARGET SUNDAYS AT CAAM

We will celebrate Black History Month with a slate of exciting programs.

Saturday, February 20, 2016, 2pm – 4pm | LECTURE Black History Month | Carter G. Woodson African American History Series, 2016

United States Presidents Who Owned Slaves Eight U.S Presidents owned slaves during their presidencies.

Learn about this contradictory predicament they faced as presidents while the country grappled with the moral questions surrounding slavery and its economic impact on the nation. RSVP preferred at 213.744.2024.

Saturday, February 27, 2016, 1pm – 3pm l WRITERS’ WORKSHOP The Community Writers Group

CWG’s mission is to preserve the histories of the peoples of the African Diaspora through the writing of personal narratives. For more information, please contact ewoodson@caamuseum.org.

Apply your artistry and imagination to create a photographic portrait of yourself or a family member guided by Surreal Box Cinema artists. We will decorate a fantastic studio and set up lighting and props. Bring your own professional camera or cell phone, and additional items and/or costumes! RSVP preferred at 213.744.2014.

Sunday, March 20, 2016, 2pm– 4pm l DISCUSSION Celebrating Women’s History Month Ruth Carter Costume Designer and Hollywood Icon

Ruth Carter is a costume designer whose work has been seen in School Daze, Malcolm X, The Five Heartbeats, Amistad, Selma, among others. Join us as we celebrate her illustrious career. Moderated by television, film, and stage writer/producer Kathleen McGhee Anderson. RSVP preferred at 213.744.2024.

At CAAM, we acknowledge the value our young people bring to this institution. Over the past summer, we hosted two gifted young women (Allison Yang and Olivia Love) who served as our 2015 Getty Multi-Cultural Interns last summer.

They worked in our Research Library and Education Department. As a result of their experiences at CAAM both plan to embark upon careers in the museum profession upon finishing their studies. LaTeesha Pinkney is a talented student who lived in the foster system. LaTeesha spent eight weeks at CAAM learning the intricacies of educational program development. Here’s why such experiences are so enriching to young people like LaTeesha: “I interned at CAAM before starting my last year of studies at Cal State LA. I gained valuable skills and experience, and in the process learned more about myself and my history as an African American. I also felt a sense of community while interning at CAAM, and am looking forward to new internship opportunities.”

Looking forward to the future, our energies have been focused on building mutually-beneficial relationships, developing cross-collaborations with other like-minded cultural heritage organizations, and exploring how we might leverage these now and in the future. I’ve also been doing some critical-thinking on how we can continue to build on the successes of the recent past. As these ideas coalesce, I’ll be certain to share them with you.

We have initiated discussions with the Smithsonian Institution (SI) in Washington, DC to become one of its affiliates.

The goal is to expand our ability to collaborate with scholars and universities, hone our skill sets, and further enhance our ability to produce exhibitions and programs that support our core mission. We are most grateful to Sony Pictures Entertainment who has agreed to sponsor this endeavor.

We have also joined forces with USC’s Annenberg School of Communications, and have enlisted a savvy group of graduate marketing students who are in the process of developing a comprehensive marketing plan which takes into account the needs of our audience, the knowledge-base of our staff, and how we can create an enriched museum experience for our diverse community members.

In November, Eso-Won Books hosted a book discussion with MacArthur “Genius” and National Book Award winner Ta-Nehisi Coates which was attended by more than 600 visitors. Coates shared his journey as a writer and his thoughts on what it means to be Black (male or female) in the 21st century. I’d like to thank James Fugate, co-founder of Eso-Won Books, for asking CAAM to participate. Hopefully it will be the first of many joint projects with James and Eso-Won. Thanks also to Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas who provided us with extra seating for the evening.

CAAM is fully committed to serving the widest possible audience. With this in mind, we invite you to view this wonderful institution as a place where you, our community members, can learn, explore, create, and grow. We invite you to share with us your ideas for CAAM’s future, and how we can better serve the community-at-large. So please, think about CAAM as your community “think-tank” and then drop us a line via our Facebook account which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/CAAMinLA. Your voice and your ideas are cordially welcomed.

My best wishes to you and yours as we enter into 2016.

Sunday, March 20, 2016, 2pm – 3pm l ARTIST DISCUSSION BEYOND THE NOSE: ONE-ON-ONE WITH OVERTON LOYD: A Look Into My Creative Eccentric Life

Overton Loyd’s life experiences range from the ordinary to the outlandish. Loyd will share his creative journey from drawing caricatures at the Michigan State Fair to becoming a visual and multimedia artist, designer, and creative director for George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. Join us and be a part of this rare and creative moment. RSVP preferred 213.744.2024.

Saturday, March 26, 2016, 1pm– 3pm l WRITERS’ WORKSHOP Community Writers Group

CWG’s mission is to preserve the histories of the peoples of the African Diaspora through the writing of personal narratives. For more information, please contact ewoodson@caamuseum.org.

George O. Davis, Executive Director Donations to CAAM may be made online at www.caamuseum.org or mail contributions to Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum, 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA 90037 The California African American Museum is a State-supported agency, Edmund G. Brown, Jr., Governor. CAAM partners with and is further supported by Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum. CAAM is located in Exposition Park at 600 State Drive in Los Angeles. CAAM is open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, and Sundays 11am - 5pm. Admission is FREE. Parking at 39th and Figueroa Streets is $12 per vehicle. Tel 213.744.7432. Fax 213.744.2050. Email: info@caamuseum.org. Facebook/twitter@ caaminla. Website: www.caamuseum.org. Museum Notes is published quarterly by the California African American Museum. Executive Editor, Denise L. McIver. Design, Susan Dworski | The Blue One. Photos: Vida L. Brown, Bryna Davidson, Katelyn-Alaina Hardie, Mar Hollingsworth, and Gene Ogami.

Malcolm X (1925 - 1965)

Saturday, March 5, 2016, 2pm – 4pm l PANEL DISCUSSION Celebrating Women’s History Month CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN S.T.E.M.

One of our greatest resources is the group of talented young people who have served our museum with a passionate commitment to our mission, and who are being prepared to forge successful careers in this profession. As you have probably heard and read, minority leadership within art institutions in Los Angeles make up less than four percent, and to address this issue, a task force is being formed. As we see it, our young people are tomorrow’s arts leaders, and CAAM is an incubator where they can glean practical experience which will hopefully launch their future careers in the museum profession.

The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.

Justice Audrey B. Collins, of the California Court of Appeal and former U.S. District Judge, will be our guest for this installment of Conversations at CAAM. She will share the highlights of her illustrious career with CAAM’s current History Council Chair Trudy Hatter in an interview format. RSVP preferred at 213.744.2024.

Come learn about the important contributions made by some of America’s outstanding African American women in the spheres of politics, civil rights, education, literature, and journalism. Biographies are available for study, and can be found at: http://www.caamuseum.org/documents/Freedom%20Sisters.pdf. Prizes offered. RSVP preferred at 213.744-2024.

A

s we embark upon the blank canvas of 2016, over the past several months I’ve been giving great thought as to how CAAM’s future might be re-imagined, and how our work in the here-and-now will influence it. I believe that CAAM’s future in inextricably tied to a variety of resources – some tangible, some intangible.

Todd Hawkins, President Zna Portlock Houston, Vice President Kimberly Freeman Eric Lawrence Frazier Rev. Cecil L. Murray Joseph C. Phillips Dr. Francille Rusan Wilson

Saturday, January 9, 2016, 2pm – 4pm | CONVERSATIONS AT CAAM Justice Audrey B. Collins,

Saturday, March 5 & Sunday, March 13, 2016, 11:30am - 12:30pm l TRIVIA GAME Celebrating Women’s History Month America’s Sisters Trivia Game

CAAM State Board of Directors

Come participate in a family-friendly, free workshop on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of January/February/March.

Materials provided. Suitable for ages six and above. RSVP preferred at 213.744.2024.

Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA 90037 T 213.744.7432 . F 213.744.2050 www.caamuseum.org Open Tues.–Sat. 10 am–5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm. Admission is FREE Parking $12 at 39th & Figueroa Streets. Metro: Expo Line to Exposition Park stop adjacent to USC & the Rose Garden.

January, February, March 2016, 1:30pm – 3pm | ART WORKSHOPS FAMILY TIME IN CAAM’S COURTYARD

Four Black Governors After Reconstruction it took more than 80 years before an African American would become a U.S. Governor. This presentation offers a closer look into the lives, gubernatorial campaigns, and service of the four Black men who were elected or served as governors during the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.

RSVP preferred at 213.744.2024.

A message from george O. davis, executive director

NON PROFIT ORG US Postage Paid Permit No. 1619 Los Angeles, CA

programs

Sunday, February 28, 2016, 2pm – 4pm l LECTURE Black History Month | Carter G. Woodson African American History Series, 2016

Museum Notes CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM

January - March 2016

exhibitions EVOLUTION OF THE REVOLUTION January 18, 2016 – June 26, 2016 Evolution of the Revolution is an immersive, multi-media installation created by Surreal Box Cinema, an artistic duo comprised of Lynn Rossi (photographer/set designer) and Nichelle Evans (set designer/ conceptual artist). Evolution of the Revolution presents a surreal photographic journey that explores The Underground Railroad, 2015. Surreal Box Cinema, Lynn Rossi and the African American revolutionary Nichelle Evans. Courtesy of the artists path, from the Trans-Atlantic Middle Passage to the present day political arena, and includes such pivotal moments as the Underground Railroad and the Civil Rights Movement. The bright, large scale photographs featured in Evolution of the Revolution do more than pay tribute to the men and women who triumphed over slavery and struggle to gain equal rights: they also provide a poignant commentary on how the revolution reverberates through contemporary culture and events. To create these layers of meaning, the artists constructed elaborate staged sets that feature live models posing with a variety of props chosen or designed to provide a sharp and often satirical historical insight.

Hard edged

The African presence in Central America

coloring independently

geometrical abstraction and beyond

Tony Gleaton’s Photographs from CAAM’s Collection

August 13, 2015 - April 24, 2016

December 31, 2015 - March 20, 2016

1940s African American Film Stills from the collection of the California african american museum

Hard Edged explores the evolving practice of geometrical abstraction in contemporary art, illustrating the rich interplay of tradition, innovation, and individual talent among forty-six visual artists of African descent. The exhibition offers an expansive and exploratory appreciation of geometrical abstraction not only in painting but also in assemblage, installation, photography, video, quilting, and mixed-media works. Features common to many works include the prominent use of lines and sharply edged shapes, a clear sense of composition, unity of form, intense contrasts, and flat fields of color. The approaches of the artists in this exhibition are very different, from perceptual to conceptual, from formal to boundary crossing. Some are minimalistic while others celebrate color and texture exuberantly. Although working at various levels of abstraction, the artists in this exhibition address such important issues as feminism, identity, colonialism, stereotypes, family relations, and social justice.

The show draws widely from local sources, including CAAM’s Permanent Collection, private collectors, galleries, and the artists themselves, and it includes Chelle Barbour, Sharon Louise Barnes, April Bey, Joseph Beckles, Ronda Brown, Mark Broyard, Lavialle Campbell, Elizabeth Catlett, Castillo, Edward Clark, Charles Dickson, June Edmonds, Melvin Edwards, Kathie Foley Meyer, Bre Gipson, David Hammons, Hillary Jaynes, Daniel LaRue Johnson, Rashid Johnson, Samuel Levi Jones, Doyle Lane, Jacob Lawrence, Isabelle Lutterodt, Enoch Mack, Eric Mack, Senga Nengudi, Nzuji de Magalhães, Kori Newkirk, Duane Paul, Doug Pearsall, Karl J-G Petion, Greg Pitts, Noah Purifoy, Charla Puryear, Miles Regis, John T. Riddle Jr., Michelle Robinson, Charles Rosenberg, Lisa C Soto, Devin Troy Strother, Holly Tempo, Matthew Thomas, Richard Turner, Tim Washington, Lisa Diane Wedgeworth, and Brenna Youngblood.

This exhibition displays 20 black and white photographs from CAAM’s Permanent Collection, formerly accessioned in 1994 after our curators featured the impactful, larger-sized exhibition, Tengo Casi 500 Años. The images examine aspects of the African Diaspora in several Central American countries: Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama, contributing to a much needed dialogue on the historical and sociological development of racial identity among its populations of African descent.

August 27, 2015 – February 28, 2016

Louis Jordan with admirers, Beware, 1946 Collection of the California African American Museum

The roots of the African legacy in Central America stem from the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. For 350 years, approximately, seven million Africans (two thirds of all Africans shipped to the Americas) were carried to Latin America. Yet, even before the slave trade had turned into an integral part of the European economy, persons of African descent had arrived with the crews of Columbus and other Spanish explorers. Moreover, scholars such as Ivan Van Sertima, have presented convincing data of ancient African expeditions before the Spanish explorations in the 15th Century. For over 15 years, African American photographer Tony Gleaton (1948-2015) journeyed these lands to document the daily lives of peoples of African descent, capturing images filled with empowerment, ultimate dignity, and unsurpassed beauty. This exhibition is a tribute to Gleaton’s foresight and dedication upon the occasion of his recent passing.

Black Narcissus. Tony Gleaton ©1992.

All rights reserved

The African American Journey West permanent collection

caam courtyard series

Now on view

metaphors

September 24, 2015 - May 1, 2016 Charles Dickson is a prolific artist who is widely known as a public artist with the ability to create studio works ranging from assemblage, functional art and sculptures using various materials such as wood, found objects, metal, and glass. During the creative process Dickson imagines the raw materials before him being transformed into images, elements and shapes that will represent and symbolize the essence of the concept he envisions. Through this rendering process a metaphor will emerge illustrating how he seeks to convey and represent his views about a particular subject. In this exhibition, Dickson creates five “metaphors” in the form of sculptures consisting of various mediums to transform the space, tell a story, and engage the viewer with his whimsical visual design.

Left: Sir Nose D’voidoffunk, 1978, ink and watercolor.

Right: Hinged, 2007, acrylic.

Courtesy of the artist

rhythm of vision: the artistry of Overton Loyd March 17, 2016 - September 18, 2016 Overton Loyd is a kind of Renaissance Man who, by turns, is a visual and multimedia artist, illustrator, and designer. Perhaps he is best known for his work as the creative director for George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. Loyd’s extensive body of work epitomizes the unique perspective of a multifaceted artist. His artistic journey commenced at age three when he discovered his passion for drawing. Over the years, he has since become a prolific artist whose styles and mediums vary from pen sketches to high-resolution digital renderings. Born in Detroit, Loyd is widely known for creating distinctive caricatures and characters. His most notable character, Sir Nose D’Voidoffunk, appears on the iconic 1978 Motor Booty Affair album which has become synonymous with George Clinton and the Parliament culture. Rhythm of Vision introduces viewers to the vast scope of Loyd’s creativity through his use of diverse media, wide array of subject matter, and intriguing compositions.

Above: installation view.

Front cover: Blossom, Charles Dickson, 1988. High impact styrene plastic urethane foamcore.

Collection of the artist Sky’s The Limit, Charles Dickson, 2015. (one of the five installations in the Metaphors exhibition) Mixed media assemblage, Ultra Cal30, plastic and acrylic.

Collection of the artist

This exhibition features a selection of more than 80 film stills and related photographs from the museum’s unique collection surrounding African American films from the 1940s, a time of limited character roles and access to the mainstream movie industry. Typically referred to as “Race Films/Movies,” these independent productions were created with a Black cast and for an African American audience. Come explore the distinct images and stories we told more than 65 years ago as a part of the broader African American filmmaking tradition. Among the films selected are Beware (1946) showcasing music pioneer Louis Jordan, The Betrayal (1948) directed and written by Oscar Micheaux, and I Ain’t Gonna Open That Door (1949) starring Stepin Fetchit.

Queen Zarita, (from the Praise and Worship In the House of Amen Ra series), Tracy Brown, 2007. Gift of the artist.

Collection of the California African American Museum

This reprised exhibition chronicles the history of African Americans through artwork and historical artifacts that illustrate their long journey from the West Coast of Africa to present day California.

THE NOMAD AT CAAM

Dominique Moody with the Nomad.

Critically-acclaimed artist Dominique Moody is the creator of the entirely habitable Nomad – a tandem wheeled trailer measuring 8’W x 20’L, and composed of wood, corrugated and patinated metal, reclaimed wood, found objects and other materials. From December 1st through December 5th, visitors were invited to enter the dwelling which measures 120 square feet, and from the ground to its gabled roof measures 12’ 6” in height. The Nomad is a tangible expression of Moody’s personal sojourn, her family legacy and a cultural odyssey. It serves as a catalyst to conversations about the cultural, social, ecological and economic challenges of our time. CAAM is thrilled to have partnered with Moody on this unique installation!

caam and the community Since this issue is about the future and developing the next cadre of museum leaders, we thought we’d ask Jessica White, who is currently attending the Boyle Heights Technology Youth Center while working part-time with CAAM’s Foundation, to serve as a guest editor and assist in writing this section.

“I want to help educate the public as much as possible.” Those are the words of Rachel Hardie. She is a young, talented 21 year old woman who is currently attending El Camino College. She is both dedicated and diligent and is one who sets out to obtain as much knowledge as possible to help educate and bring light to the lost. As a part-time museum tour guide in CAAM’s Gallery Services Department, Rachel enjoys teaching the public about African American history. Over the course of her tenure at the Museum, she has learned to schedule tours, guide visitors through CAAM’s galleries, and intelligently answer questions from the general public. This experience is helping to hone Rachel’s career goal to become a museum curator.

Lamar Rowland is a high school sophomore student at Verbum Dei. For two years he’s been working closely with CAAM’s Friends Foundation, and also assisting CAAM’s Accounting and Gallery Services departments. He is learning about museum operations and building solid relationships with his colleagues and CAAM staff. When asked what the experience working at CAAM has meant to him Lamar replied, “This experience means everything to me because most kids my age are not given the opportunity to be in a real life work environment. I am extremely grateful to CAAM for all they have done and for their efforts in making my transition into adulthood smoother. The business knowledge and interpersonal skills I am gaining will be of great help to me in achieving my dream to become a lawyer.”

“Working at CAAM has opened up an entirely new world for me. And the experience, overall, is especially meaningful for me as an aspiring artist.” These are the thoughts of Bryna Davidson, CAAM’s Receptionist, who is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Communications. In addition to answering the phones and greeting guests, Bryna’s deeply involved with researching and entering metadata into the Research Library’s database and organizing invoices as well as creating purchase orders for office supplies. She is also learning the process of exhibition preparation and design which will inform her practice as a professional photographer.

Special Thanks CAAM would like to thank the following funders for their generosity. We are grateful for your support of CAAM and its mission: ​Bank of America, California Humanities, Capital Group, County of Los Angeles, Edison International, Ray Charles Foundation, Southern California Gas Co., Target, Tony Bennett Foundation, United Airlines, U. S. Bancorp and L.A. Shares.​