News Release October 21, 2013
Contact: Jennifer Williams (504) 586-7432
Opening Reception for The Classic Works of Emory Douglas The McKenna Museum of African American Art, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) New Orleans and Friend of a Friend Baltimore are hosting a reception for the exhibit opening featuring the work of Emory Douglas, former Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party. The reception and a presentation with the artist will be held Thursday, October 24, 2013 at The McKenna Museum, 2003 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, 6:00-8:00 PM. Emory Douglas was born May 24, 1943 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He attended City College of San Francisco where he majored in Commercial Art. He was politically involved as Revolutionary Artist then Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party from 1967 until the early 80’s. Douglas’ art and design concepts were always seen on the pages of The Black Panther, the official newspaper of the Party reflecting its politics and the concerns of the community. Offering a retrospective look at artwork created in the Black Panther Party, Douglas’ work has been displayed at the 2008 Biennale of Sydney in Australia, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and the African American Art & Cultural Complex in San Francisco, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, California and Station Museum of Contemporary Art in Houston. Published in 2007, Black Panther: The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas, provides a comprehensive collection of Douglas’ work. His exhibits include The Arts & Culture Conference of the Black Panther Party, Atlanta, GA; Urbis, Manchester, England; The New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York; The Elam International School of Fine Arts, Auckland, New Zealand (Aotearoa) and The Gus Fisher Gallery; and Milani Art Gallery, Brisbane, Australia. In conjunction with the opening reception AFSC and Friend of a Friend are hosting a screening of Comrade Sunshine, Saturday, October 26, 2013, 5:30-6:30 at Community Book Center, 2523 Bayou Road. This twenty-minute documentary highlights Baltimore’s Friend of a Friend program founded by former Black Panther and Prison Activist, Eddie Conway. The Classic Works of Emory Douglas will remain on display at the Museum through November 23, 2013. The reception and film are both free and open to the public. ### For more information about the reception and exhibit, contact Jennifer Williams, McKenna Museum Director, (504) 586-7432. For information regarding the film, contact Dee Dee Green, (504) 565-3596.