Zimmerli Art Museum Celebrates Black History Month at Sparknight
Photo by Keya Raval
The Zimmerli Art Museum held their monthly Sparknight event on Thursday, celebrating Black History Month and the opening of two new exhibitions. Now on display are Allan Rohan Crite’s Neighborhood, and Andy Warhol’s On Repeat. The exhibitions collectively celebrate the enduring nature of storytelling, and will be open through July 31.
The event began at 5pm, as attendees were free to explore the museum’s exhibitions and holdings, take part in hands-on art activities, and enjoy live music prior to the opening remarks. The art experience was hosted in collaboration with Scarlet Arts RX, and by Zimmerli teaching artist Rashad Davis, and attendees were encouraged to create self-portraits in the style of Warhol to add to a collage inspired by Crite’s Neighborhood.
“The welcome to the Neighborhood piece is a collection of portraits. It’s a reminder that we’re all deeply connected, that we are all connected to each other, that we’re all important, and we all have an important part to play. This is really a wall of empathy.”
Allan Rohan Crite’s ‘Neighborhood’ is organized by the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum of Boston, and the Zimmerli’s presentation is organized by Nicole Simpson, Curator of Prints and Drawings. Andy Warhol’s ‘On Repeat’ is organized by Jeremiah William McCarthy, Chief Curator and Curator of American Art.
Zimmerli Art Museum Director Maura Reilly told WRSU, “We’ve really shifted the whole mission and vision of the institution to be about representing underrecognized artists. That’s the primary thrust of everything we do. Diversity, equity, and inclusion is really in our DNA. We’re standing in the gallery dedicated to American art, and a great example of our dedication to that is that when I arrived we reinstalled it to include 30% more women and 30% more artists of color, just to make sure that the history of art as we know it is not exclusionary, but inclusive. We’re hoping that folks that come to see the Warhol will be really excited to discover Crite, and vice versa, that they’ll come to see the Crite and then they’ll walk into the Warhol and be like ‘wow, this is a fresh take on him,’ so that’s what we’re after with this current season at the Zimmerli.
As February’s Sparknight was to honor Black History Month, speakers at the opening reception discussed the importance of Black art and culture. Speakers included Reilly, Rutgers-New Brunswick Provost Jason Geary, Paul Robeson Cultural Center Director Jakora Thompson, and Assistant Vice President for Learning and Engagement Joan Collier.
In his speech, Geary said that “the dialogue that’s created by bringing together the works of these artists is both so powerful and so timely.” In an interview with WRSU, he expanded on this to emphasize the importance of showcasing diverse art. “So much of what the Zimmerli does is really about thinking about the role of museums in society, and thinking about whose work is made visible and prominent. This is a beautiful example of an artist who’s very well known, one who’s lesser known, and coming together to do that during Black History month is all the more exciting.”
Thompson, who is also a member of the Zimmerli’s Advisory Board, spoke on the importance of heritage months. “Those are times for us to stop, reflect, listen, and learn, and figure out what it is that I didn’t know that I can learn. What did I think I know that I can learn a little bit more about? What is there more for me to reimagine about what’s possible for my connection to those people, those places and to those experiences?
Many attendees expressed their joy at being able to celebrate Black History Month at the Museum, especially on campus. School of Communication & Information senior Ciara told WRSU that she found the event online, and that “celebrating Black art, Black history, seeing what’s out there — new experiences and seeing what Zimmerli has to offer” drew her to Sparknight.
The Museum runs many programs to engage the community, including their monthly Sparknights. Performances from the Young Picassos, Liberated Gospel Choir, and Verbal Mayhem helped to close out the evening with a reception.
Brandon Truett, the Zimmerli’s Mellon Head of Learning and Community Engagement, said that events like Sparknight are important to understanding the importance of art in everyday life. “The museum can be a place to both engage with things you might not otherwise see in the world, but also recognize yourself in some of the work that’s on display, which I think is really the contribution of Crite and Warhol. I think it’s a space to slow down and be introspective, and spend time with an artwork because our lives can be very fast paced and hectic, and the museum really offers a space of self-reflection.”
Story by Keya Raval.