Exhibitions
Wattstax: I Am Somebody! August 9 – October 28, 2007 Theatre Gallery This rare collection tells the story of one of the most important events of the Civil Rights Movement. Wattstax was an event of soul music and soul solidarity––a peaceful, astounding, and vivid celebration of self-expression Isaac Hayes performs at “Wattstax,” shown with concert host, Jesse Jackson. 1972. Photographer unknown. and self-respect with a positive and empowering message. The sixty images featured in the exhibition capture the energy and history of this landmark event, as well as performances by musical icons the Staple Singers, the Bar-Kays, Albert King, and The Dramatics among others. This exhibition was organized by the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis, TN.
A family compound in Sirigu, Ghana, ca 1986. Margaret Courtney-Clark.
Lasting Foundations: The Art of Architecture in Africa May 17 – August 19, 2007, Gallery II Containing over 60 works of art and 50 photographs, this exhibition surveys the innovative and varied architecture used in African homes, palaces and public spaces. From Timbuktu to Johannesburg, the exhibition presents architectural elements in both urban and rural settings, including magnificent carved house posts, doors, locks, and window frames alongside photographs, video, and works by contemporary artists. Lasting Foundations explores the symbolic and aesthetic significance of architecture meant to last for generations, or ebb and flow with daily life. This exhibition was organized by the Museum for African Art, New York, with support from Merrill Lynch.
Backdrops circa 1940s, 1998. Lorna Simpson. Two serigraphed felt panels.
Blacks In and Out of the Box September 13 – December 30, 2007 Gallery II This exhibition focuses on African Americans as artists and subjects throughout the history of photography. Thematically, it highlights California’s influence on Blacks in front of and behind the camera and the on-going dialogue African Americans have with the images of their past. The show features unique early photographs from the Steve Turner collection, as well as contemporary images of black photography and videography.
programs Sunday, July 1, 11am-5pm / EVENT
Thursday, August 23, 7pm-9pm / SCREENING
TARGET SUNDAYS @ CAAM – Hot Fun in the Summertime!
Wattstax - 35th Anniversary Screening
Kick-off summer with CAAM! A day of performances, art, music and food celebrating our community, our pride, and ourselves. Program begins at 1pm, including a kite workshop, drumming lessons and special live performances.
Revisit history through this dynamic film of the 1972 concert attended by more than 100,000 people. Nominated for a Golden Globe in 1974, Wattstax features performances by Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, The Bar-Kays, and comedy riffs by Richard Pryor––a treasure all in itself.
Saturday, July 14, 1pm-3pm / DISCUSSION
Sunday, September 2, 11am-5pm / EVENT
CONVERSATIONS @ CAAM - John Outterbridge, a Watts Artist
TARGET SUNDAYS @ CAAM – CAAM/Stax Block Party
From the 1960s to the present, John Outterbridge’s work evolved through a series of various works addressing social injustices and the urban blight that surrounds the lives of so many. In a discussion with Mark S. Greenfield, Director of the Barnsdall Art Park, Outterbridge reflects on his wide-ranging body of work, his political and social influences, and his distinguished career as the director of two important community arts centers in Watts and Compton, California. Conversations @ CAAM is supported by Sempra Utilities and Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum.
CAAM and Concord Music Group celebrate the 35th anniversary of the legendary concert, Wattstax, and the 50th anniversary of Stax Records. The day will feature music from Stax recordings old and new, live performances, special give-aways, roller skating fun for all and a competition for those with old school skills. Program begins at 1pm. Dust off those skates, and join in the fun!
Saturday, July 14, 1pm-3pm / WORKSHOP
EXTERIOR EXPRESSIONS Inspired by the Lasting Foundations exhibition, artist Fernando Vargas guides you to adorn your own South African abode. Surface decoration reflects Africa’s varied cultural landscape––women paint magnificent murals on the interior and exterior of their homes, while men incorporate plaster relief designs and wood sculpture into ceremonial buildings. The workshop also incorporates the Ndebele and Zulu people’s bright palette of abstract design. Ages 9 and up.
Front cover: Fiona, 1987. Allison Saar. Mixed media.
Polynesian Woman, ca 1953. William Smith. Ink drawing on paper.
A Woman’s Journey: The Life and Work of Artis Lane September 27, 2007 – March 2, 2008, Gallery I This first retrospective of Artis Lane is an exploration of a painter/sculptor’s work spanning more than 60 years. Her creative vision is captured in drawings and sculptures, ranging from studio nudes, to traditional portraits, to more abstract creations. The exhibition includes self-portraits, as well as representations of family and friends, and busts and paintings of historical figures. Painted portraits include world-renowned figures, such as Oprah Winfrey, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Aretha Franklin, and others whose public image is captured so personally. The exhibit also includes Lane’s current metaphysical, sculptural pieces, reflecting her continuing evolution as a woman and an artist.
Sheldon Epps, television director/producer and Artistic Director of the Pasadena Playhouse is interviewed by Beverly La Fontaine of the CAAM History Council. Epps has directed a number of hit plays since joining the Playhouse in 1997, including Fences and Purlie. On Broadway, Epps conceived and directed the Duke Ellington musical, Play On!, nominated for three Tony Awards, as well as the highly acclaimed musical revue, Blues in the Night, nominated for a Tony Award as Best Musical of the Year. Epps recently initiated the Theatrical Diversity Project, supporting his vision to establish and preserve diversity on stage and off at the Playhouse. Conversations @ CAAM is supported by Sempra Utilities and Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum.
Saturday, July 21, 1pm-3pm / WORKSHOP
FANTASTIC CREATURES Make a fantastic creature from cut out shapes and write a story about it based on the work of artists in Between Two Worlds. A CAAM Gallery Educator provides the inspiration. Ages 10 and up.
Saturday, September 8, 12pm-2pm / WORKSHOP
Design Your Album Cover! A music industry designer guides participants to create their own album covers or recreations of their favorites. CAAM provides all the materials, as long as you have a design in mind. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. Reservations required: 213-744-2024.
Saturday, July 28, 1pm-3pm / DISCUSSION
LIVING THROUGH ART Dr. Jill Moniz, CAAM Visual Arts Curator, and Alitash Kebede discuss Kebede’s life, politics and collecting. Sunday, August 5, 11am-5pm / EVENT
Between Two Worlds: The Alitash Kebede Collection June 14 – September 2, 2007, Gallery I Alitash Kebede’s collection is a powerful exhibition of more than 80 works that document Kebede’s friendships, influences, politics and finally, her own identity represented through her choices as a collector, as an Ethiopian and a naturalized American citizen. The show honors Skunder Boghossian, Kebede’s artistic inspiration, and includes major African American artists she came to know and collect. Artists represented include Richard Mayhew, Betye, Allison and Lezley Saar, Jacob Lawrence, James Vander Zee, and Todd Gray. The original touring exhibition, The Alitash Kebede Collection of African American Art, was organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, and subsequently modified and curated by the California African American Museum.
Saturday, September 8, 1pm-3pm / DISCUSSION
CONVERSATIONS @ CAAM – Sheldon Epps, Award-winning Producer & Director
TARGET SUNDAYS @ CAAM – Upon Whose Shoulders… Building for the Future Inspired by Lasting Foundations, this day of programming explores the significance of building strong foundations for the home, for the mind, for social interaction and for the neighborhood. Program begins at 1pm, including workshops, drumming lessons and special live performances. Sunday, August 12, 1pm-3pm / DISCUSSION
IN WHOSE HANDS? Dr. Jill Moniz and Steven Nelson, Assistant Professor of Art History at UCLA discuss the whereabouts of pillaged and contemporary African art––who owns it, where is it displayed, and why is so much of Africa’s art retained outside the continent? Thursday, August 16, 6pm-8pm / DISCUSSION
Sunday, September 16, 1pm-3pm / DISCUSSION
PHOTOGRAPHY THEN AND NOW Collector Steve Turner and artists Todd Gray and Kendell Carter engage in a comparative dialogue of photographic practices from the 19th century to today. Panelists focus on the malleability of the medium from still photography to conceptual video. Dr. Jill Moniz, CAAM Visual Arts Curator, moderates. Sundays, September 23 and 30, 1pm-3pm / EVENT
“SOMETIMES I CRY” – Sheryl Lee Ralph The one-woman show, written and performed by award-winning actress and honored AIDS activist, Sheryl Lee Ralph, creatively examines the female struggle when coping with HIV/AIDS. Ms. Ralph chronicles the lives of women of varying backgrounds and cultures through spoken word, movement and song. Reservations and ticket information: 213-744-7469. Saturday, September 29, 1pm-3pm / SPECIAL TOUR
REGARDING THE SPRITUAL IN ART Mar Hollingsworth, CAAM Museum Curator, leads patrons through A Woman’s Journey: The Life and Work of Artis Lane, discussing the artist’s expression of transcendence as revealed in her larger-than-life sculptures.
Development of the Stax Sound Music industry professionals and historians reflect on Stax Records, discussing the development of the celebrated music label, its history and former and current contributors.
Saturday, October 6, 12pm-2pm / DISCUSSION
Saturday, August 18, 1pm-3pm / WORKSHOP
Music professionals discuss current trends in the industry, including art of promotion, demo solicitation, and negotiating contracts, concluding with a question and answer session. Reservations required: 213-744-2024.
BASICS OF WATERCOLOR PAINTING Release, 1982. Artis Lane. Bronze with patina. Collection of Marla Gibbs.
Generously supported by The Annenberg Foundation, The City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, The James Irvine Foundation, and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.
The African American Journey West: Permanent Collection Continuously on view in Gallery III
Participants learn techniques, such as wet-into-wet blending, to create an original watercolor painting. Maybe somewhere within you lurks the talent of a Richard Mayhew, Romare Bearden or Richard Yarde, artists in Between Two Worlds. Guest instructor: Milton Loupe. Appropriate for ages 10 and up, participants must be available for the entire session. Reservations: (213) 744-2024.
Accessing the Music Industry
▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲
6 0 0 S TAT E D R I V E . E X P O S I T I O N
Museum Notes CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
July - September 2007
PA R K . L O S A N G E L E S , C A .
Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum
9 0 0 3 7
We share this dream together. Be a part of making it a reality! Let’s work together to expand our capacity to present great African American art, culture and history.
State Board of Directors, CAAM
Charmaine Jefferson, Executive Director
caam in the community
▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲
CAAM’S DOCENT COUNCIL IS RECRUITING! Applications due Tuesday, July 31 / Interviews held August 6–11 CAAM is looking for talented, interested and diverse people to join our established corps of Museum Docents. Docents lead tours, assist gallery educators in workshops, engage families and groups in museum activities and act as museum ambassadors to the public. Docent training begins September 15, 2007 and continues once per month through April 2008. For application details and questions, contact Sonia Brown, (213) 744-2133 or sbrown@caamuseum.org. YOUNG ARTIST WORKSHOP In June, CAAM and Otis College of Art and Design began a new collaboration offering a free, summer Cartooning Workshop for children ages 9-12. These workshops provide kids an opportunity to enhance their art skills while creating their own cast of characters. Class topics include facial expression, movement, character development, caricature, and lettering. Visit CAAM’s website, www.caamuseum.org, for future workshop programs.
Students gather to watch a video installation from Lasting Foundations.
BUSES AND DOCENTS Through Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum and incredible donors such as Bank of America, Citigroup Foundation, The Annenberg Foundation and others, CAAM is able to offer schools and community centers in the greater Los Angeles County, who otherwise could not afford it, free docent led tours and free bus transportation for group field trips. To participate, contact Karla Williams, (213) 744-7438 or kwilliams@caamuseum.org.
The California African American Museum is a state supported institution and a partner with the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum located in Exposition Park at 600 State Drive in Los Angeles. Open Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, and Sundays 11am - 5 pm. Admission is free. Parking at 39th and Figueroa is $6.00 per vehicle. A California State Museum, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor. Tel (213) 7447432. Fax (213) 744-2050. Email: info@caamuseum.org. Website: www.caamuseum.org. Museum Notes is published quarterly by the California African American Museum. Executive Editor, Charmaine Jefferson. Editor and copy, Kimberly Parker. Design, The Blue One.
PRESORTED Standard US Postage Paid Permit No. 1619 Los Angeles, CA
Young Docents and Work Study Student Joshua Esters, Anjilyn Morris and Larry Johnson have officially joined as Gallery Assistants. We are proud to have them begin their careers at CAAM.
We had a great response to the membership drive in the spring edition of Museum Notes. We are extremely grateful to those who support us. Now, we ask you to contribute a little more to help us realize our capital enhancement goals. If 1,000 members each donate $800 to our capital expansion project, it will top off and match the State’s contribution of $2.2 million to complete our expansion.
Charles McLurkin, Esq. L. Charmayne Mills, President Rev. Cecil L. Murray Joseph C. Phillips John E. Sweeney, Esq. Stanley P. Wade Carolyn D. Webb de Macias
EMPLOYEE UPDATES We are pleased to announce Ann Shea, CAAM Librarian, received the Conference of California Historical Societies (CCHS) Dr. R. Coke Wood Award on June 23 for her outstanding and long-term support. The CCHS helps historians, and others who are interested in history, to connect and share information––joining efforts to preserve records, artifacts, sites, and buildings.
It may be hard to imagine how we house all these significant programs under one roof. We are proud of our accomplishments, but there is still so much more to be done. This fiscal year jump starts the next phase––we are planning a massive capital renovation and expansion of your California African American Museum to increase our capacity for collecting art and historical artifacts and build a larger library and new education halls, a 400-seat lecture theater, and a cafe and gift shop. The result will be a CAAM more than twice the size you enjoy now, offering you a much wider range of services.
David A. Ford Eric L. Frazier Ellis Gordon, Jr., Treasurer Sylvia Hart, Co-Secretary Trudy Hatter Mattie M. Lawson Paula Madison Cynthia McClain-Hill
THE COLOR PURPLE: The Musical About Love Join Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum, for a delightful afternoon of lunch, discussion and the soul-stirring musical “The Color Purple.” The Friends Foundation arranged for 100 premier seats for the Saturday, January 12, 2008 matinee. A prereception will be held at CAAM with free transportation to the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in downtown Los Angeles. This is a hot ticket with seats available only for CAAM members—tickets are on sale September 2nd. For new memberships and reservations, contact Kimberly Parker, (213) 744-7469 or kparker@caamuseum.org.
Photo: Earl Gibson, III
Dr. Leon Banks Alice Desobry Bowens, Vice President Dr. Caesar Churchwell Lester Crawford Dr. Monet L. Daniels Edwina Dedlow Keith A. Drake, Co-Secretary Shawn Farrar
WATTS / WILLOWBROOK BOYS & GIRLS CLUB ANNUAL GALA On June 14, CAAM proudly supported the Watts/Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club, as they celebrated 50 years of providing development programs and services to our community’s youth. The museum’s Sculpture Court served as the venue for the lively event. If interested in hosting a reception at CAAM, please contact Laura Farmer, Facilities Use Coordinator (213) 744-7535 or lfarmer@caamuseum.org.
T
he California African American Museum is on the move. We continue to present new and exciting educational programs, from cartooning workshops to Conversations @ CAAM. We curate groundbreaking exhibitions like Blacks In and Out of the Box, furthering our blend of history and contemporary art. And once again, we are mentoring a new generation of arts professionals with our well-regarded Young Docents program.
Dr. Leon Banks, Vice President Dr. Caesar Churchwell Eric L. Frazier Trudy Hatter Rev. Cecil L. Murray Joseph C. Phillips Carolyn D. Webb de Macias, President
Photo: Earl Gibson, III
UNCF 25TH ANNUAL LOS ANGELES “WALK FOR EDUCATION” On May 19, CAAM took part in the United Negro College Fund’s annual 5K walk, raising funds to help more than 350,000 students attend college at more than 900 institutions nationwide. Celebrating 63 years of existence, the UNCF is the nation’s most successful and most comprehensive minority higher education assistance organization.
▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲
SAVE THE DATE
Team CAAM gathers at the post-UNCF Walk Festival.
“MUSEUMS ON US” WITH BANK OF AMERICA CAAM was selected to participate in Bank of America’s “Museums on Us” program, which offered free admission throughout May to 86 cultural institutions nationwide. As CAAM is always free, we provided Bank of America cardholders special gifts on entry and discounts on museum merchandise. CAAM applauds Bank of America for its continued patronage and support of the arts.
From the Director
The time is fast approaching for another spectacular gala, An Artful Evening at CAAM, taking place Saturday, October 20. Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum is thrilled to announce our 2007 honorees: Artis Lane for the Lifetime Achievement Award, Keith L. Black, MD for our very own Tom Bradley Unsung Hero Award, and The Annenberg Foundation for Foundation Partner. We look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Following an engaging May 26 Conversations @ CAAM, James A. Smith, 39th Postmaster, City of Los Angeles (center), presents an Ella Fitzgerald commemorative stamp to CAAM. Accepting for the museum are History Council member and interviewer Ron Lewis (left) and member of CAAM’s State Board of Directors, Trudy Hatter (right).
▲
Visit www.caamuseum.org for 2007 silent and live auction highlights.
Photo: c.d. jimenez y west
newsworthy
▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲