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ART AS ACTIVISM EXHIBITION
CELEBRATED WITH CONCERT OF
CIVIL RIGHTS PROTEST SONGS AND AFTER-HOURS TOUR WITH NOTABLE
GUESTS
SONIA SANCHEZ, BRENT STAPLES, BRENDA GREEN,
CLARENCE REYNOLDS, AND OTHERS
The
New-York Historical Society hosted a special event featuring an
after-hours tour of its unique exhibition Art
as Activism: Graphic Art from the Merrill C. Berman Collection,
followed by a performance by the vocal group Just Friends. The
concert showcased civil rights protest songs from the 1960s and
‘70s, and was introduced by author and New
York Times editorial
writer Brent Staples.
Since it was founded in 1989, Just
Friends (Gail Blanche-Gill, A. Makea McDonald,
Nedra Olds-Neal, Shelton Becton, and Teresa Bowers Parker) has
cultivated an enthusiastic following in the New York area, with
past performances at the Dance Theater of Harlem, Alice Parker
and Melodious Accord, Riverside Church, and the New-York
Historical Society.
Art as Activism remains
on view through September 13, 2015. Featuring over 70 pieces of 20th
century American protest art, the exhibition includes posters
created by Emory Douglass for the Black Panther Party, Hugo
Gellert’s iconic illustrations for Daily
Worker and other
labor movement campaigns, and anti-Vietnam War posters by Jay
Belloli and Tomi Ungerer.
WHEN:
Friday, July 17, 2015 (6pm-8pm)
NOTABLE ATTENDEES:
Sonia Sanchez, poet,
playwright, professor, activist and one of the foremost leaders
of the Black Arts Movement.
Brent Staples, author and member of the The
New York Times editorial
board.
Dr.
Brenda Greene, Executive Director
of the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College of
the City University of New York.
Clarence Reynolds, Assistant
Director at the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers
College of the City University of New York and
journalist.
Nedra Olds-Neal, Director of The Riverside Inspirational Choir,
singer, pianist,
and music producer.
Dr. Louise Mirrer, President & CEO of the
New-York Historical Society
WHERE:
New-York Historical Society - 170 Central Park
West
(at the Richard Gilder Way 77th Street)
ABOUT THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The New-York Historical Society, one of America’s
pre-eminent cultural institutions, is dedicated to fostering
research and presenting history and art exhibitions and public
programs that reveal the dynamism of history and its influence
on the world of today. Founded in 1804, New-York Historical has
a
mission to explore the richly layered history of
New York City and State and the country, and to serve as a
national forum for the discussion of issues surrounding the
making and meaning of history.
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