Happy Black History Month!

During the month of February, we’ve been celebrating the legacy, contributions and culture of black persons through our Go van Gogh outreach program, African and African-American Art. With the help of our wonderful volunteers, elementary school children across Dallas have learned about two works of art that were made in Africa and two works of art that were made in the United States by African-American artists.

Elephant Mask (mbap mteng), Africa, Cameroon, Bamilehe peoples, c. 1920-1930, Dallas Museum of Art, Textile Purchase Fund

Drum, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Senufo peoples, 20th century, Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Marcus

This African mask and drum are currently on view in the Museum’s 3rd floor Arts of Africa gallery. Come by for a closer look!

John Thomas Biggers, Starry Crown, 1987, Dallas Museum of Art, Museum League Purchase Fund, Art © Estate of John Biggers / Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY.

Romare Bearden, Soul Three, 1968, Dallas Museum of Art, General Acquisitions Fund and Roberta Coke Camp Fund, © Romare Bearden Foundation / Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY.

Inspired by the collage of Romare Bearden’s Soul Three and the community quilt within John Bigger’s Starry Crown, the students created their very own works of art:

Each “quilt” square holds symbols and images inspired by African and African-American art, as well as the cultural identities of the artistic kiddos. Happy Black History Month!

Angela Medrano
McDermott Intern of Gallery and Community Teaching