Highlights include the Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Exhibition; the Clay, Grasses and Reeds exhibition; Know Your Heritage Bowl; and the African American Read-In
The African American Museum, Dallas celebrates Black History every month with exhibitions and educational events that honor African Americans’ rich heritage and achievements. From two new exhibitions teaming with thought-provoking art to a dynamic panel discussion, a youth history competition, an exhibit featuring artwork and designs from Disney’s THE LION KING, and a family/community day read-in, each experience offers an opportunity to deepen understanding and appreciation of African American history and cultural expression. All events are free and open to the public (except for the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame events on Feb. 28 and March 1).
“The African American Museum is dedicated to celebrating Black History year-round, but February offers a special opportunity to reflect on the contributions and global impact of African Americans,” said Margie Reese, interim director of the museum. We hope that these experiences will inspire connection, learning, and a greater understanding of the stories that continue to shape our collective future.”
Beginning Jan. 31, two new exhibitions will open including the 28th biennial “Carrol Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition,” which spotlights a variety of compelling works by juried artists from around the country, including many from North Texas. Additionally, the “Clay, Grasses and Reeds” exhibition will feature decorative and functional objects that focus on ancient traditions, techniques, and functions of African pottery and basketry and their influence on contemporary culture. Plus, the African American Museum in partnership with Broadway Dallas will present “From Africa to the Broadway Stage: Disney’s The Lion King” which explores how African artwork and designs are reflected in one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage – Disney’s “THE LION KING.”
EVENTS/LECTURES. Below is a summary of the events and exhibitions happening in February:
“WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A DREAM ISN’T DEFERRED: A CONVERSATION ABOUT BOYS AND MEN”
Saturday, Feb. 1, from 12:30-2 p.m.
African American Museum, Dallas
Free and open to the public
Join friends of the museum for a powerful panel discussion, reading, poetry and Q&A. The event is moderated by Patrick M. Oliver of Say It Loud! The event is hosted by Say It Loud! and sponsored in part by the museum, City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, and the South Dallas Tulisoma Book Fair.
“ROBERT AND CHARMAINE PRICE KNOW YOUR HERITAGE BOWL”
Saturday, Feb. 8, at 9 a.m.
African American Museum, Dallas
Free and open to the public
Presented by the African American Museum, Dallas, and the W. Marvin Dulaney DFW Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the Robert and Charmaine Price Know Your Heritage Bowl is a competition for local middle and high school students that seeks to encourage young scholars to appreciate and learn more about the rich history and culture of African Americans. Complete with prizes and fun, the friendly competition marks the culmination of a months-long effort by African American students to study their history. The top high school team will win an all-expense-paid trip to Memphis, Tennessee, which includes a visit to the National Museum of Civil Rights, HBCU college tours, and more.
“AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN” presented by The Dock Bookshop in collaboration with the African American Museum, Dallas
Saturday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
African American Museum, Dallas
Free and open to the public
The African American Read-in will offer public readings, poetry recitations, book discussions, speed dating, and the chance to meet accomplished authors and explore diverse vendors. The event is presented by The Dock Bookshop in collaboration with the AAM. thedockbookshop.com
TEXAS BLACK SPORTS HALL OF FAME (TBSHOF) WEEKEND
Friday, Feb. 28, at 6:30 p.m. at African American Museum, Dallas (legends reception)
Saturday, March 1, at 11:30 a.m. at Renaissance Dallas Hotel, 2222 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas (induction luncheon)
Tickets at aamdallas.orgThe incoming enshrinement of the 2025 Class of Inductees of the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame (TBSHOF) marks an incredible 29 years of honoring and recognizing an iconic lineup of star-studded figures inside the Lone Star State’s sports arena. This year’s list once again includes a group of groundbreaking historical high achievers. Presented by The Friends of Sports History of the African American Museum, Dallas, and sponsored by the Parrish Charitable Foundation. The 2025 inductees include Harvey Armstrong (football), Larry Brown (football), Michelle Carter (Olympics, track and field), Harold Cash (rodeo), Derrick James (boxing, trainer), Larry Johnson (basketball), Gladys Lee (golf), Eugene Lockhart, Jr. (football), Calvin Murray (baseball), Fritz Pollard (football, posthumously), LaDainian Tomlinson (football), Ken Washington (football) and Greg Williams (track and field).The TBSHOF, housed at the African American Museum, Dallas at Fair Park, was established in 1996 to chronicle the sports history contributions made by African Americans.
EXHIBITIONS. Free and open to the public, the following exhibitions on view at the AAM are as follows:
28TH BIENNIAL “CARROLL HARRIS SIMMS NATIONAL BLACK ART COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION”
Jan. 31 through July 24, 2025
Free and open to the public
After receiving hundreds of entries from across the country, the top artists of the 28th biennial “Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition”have been selected and will be showcased at the AAM. The history of this initiative began in 1976 when the African American Museum, Dallas initiated the Southwest Black Art Competition and Exhibition. The purpose of the juried competition and exhibition stemmed from the Museum’s need to build a distinguished art collection and to provide Black artists in the region a venue to showcase their work. Over the years, the Southwest Black Art Competition and Exhibition attracted the attention of artists beyond its geographical boundaries. In 1999, the Museum’s board renamed the biennial competition to the “Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition” in honor of Carroll Harris Simms’ outstanding contributions to art and art education.
“FROM AFRICA TO THE BROADWAY STAGE: DISNEY’S THE LION KING” EXHIBITION
Jan. 31 through July 3, 2025
Free and open to the public
The African American Museum and Broadway Dallas are pleased to announce the unveiling of a new exhibit, From Africa to the Broadway Stage: Disney’s The Lion King, that explores how icons of Africa are reflected in one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage – Disney’s “THE LION KING.” The exhibit will feature five elements – four masks and one puppet – from the original Broadway production of Disney’s “THE LION KING” alongside a curated selection of African art and objects from the African American Museum’s permanent collection.
“CLAY, GRASSES AND REEDS” EXHIBITION
Jan. 30 through March 15, 2025
Free and open to the public
This exhibition features decorative and functional objects from the African American Museum’s permanent Carroll Harris Simms ceramic collection and the Sanford “Sandy” Michael and Diane Pettit Besser African Basketry collection. Additionally, the exhibition focuses on ancient traditions, techniques, and functions of African pottery and basketry and their influence on contemporary culture.
“THE SOULS OF BLACK FOLKS – IMAGINATION AND MATERIALITY: THE POWER OF MEMORY AND STORYTELLING IN BLACK ART”
Main level of the museum
Ongoing
Free and open to the publicSpotlighting folk and self-taught artists from Texas and beyond, the exhibition features works from the museum’s permanent folk art collection, which is one of the largest collections in the country. Featured pieces include an 1821 coverlet made and signed by a 16-year-old enslaved girl; 5 Gallon Jug made by the first enslaved potter, David “Dave the Potter” Drake during the 18th century; an 1888 crazy quilt; a desk made by slaves in 1830; an 1864 silver spoon made by a slave; and a chair designed by Charles Harrison, a 30-year industrial designer at Sears.
“FACING THE RISING SUN: FREEDMAN’S CEMETERY”
Ongoing
Free and open to the public
Visitors are encouraged to visit the Museum’s permanent exhibition, Facing The Rising Sun: Freedman’s Cemetery,which was initiated by Alan Govenar and Documentary Arts and curated by Phillip Collins in 1996. The exhibition contains photographs, found objects, and historical documents that provide further insight into the area now known as Uptown. Interactive video kiosks allow visitors to see and hear from the people who knew Freedman’s Town first-hand.
Season sponsors of the African American Museum, Dallas, are OVG360, Visit Dallas, and the City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture.The African American Museum, Dallas is located at 3536 Grand Ave. in Dallas’ historic Fair Park. Free and open to the public, the museum is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. NOTE: Free self-parking is available in nearby lots.
For more information, go to aamdallas.org or call214-565-9026. For the latest updates, follow the Museum on Instagram and Facebook.
