Acclaimed actor and activist Jesse Williams will host a moderated conversation in response to the NAAM King’s Day theme “Everything, Here and Now”
SEATTLE, January 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) will hold a grand reopening and commemorate the King’s Day holiday on Monday, January 16, 2023. The event will feature guided tours of the galleries and exhibits, a screening of a Civil Rights film, and an interactive video moderated conversation with jesse williamsactor, director, and activist notable for his role as executive producer of the powerful documentary, Stay Awake: The Black Lives Matter Movement. With the sponsorship of Boeing and Union Bank, the reopening of NAAM represents the return of the Museum to its physical space after three years closed due to the pandemic.
African American Museum of the Northwest
The Northwest African American Museum’s Color of Life exhibit features paintings by artists Shantell Jackson, Yeggy Michael, LoMar Metoyer, and Vincent Keele.
NAAM’s King’s Day theme, “Everything, Here and Now,” is based on the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.who said, “No, what we are saying to this nation is that we want all of our rights. We want them here, and we want them all, not next year, not next week, but we want them now, at this time.”
“NAAM is a resilient and innovative organization committed to our mission no matter what. We uplift, share and celebrate Black stories, even when our doors are closed,” he said. The Nesha Of Bardelaben, the president and CEO of the Northwest African American Museum. “We are delighted to reopen our doors at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a robust program of activities offered throughout the day for the whole family and community.
King Day at NAAM is free and open to the public, and donations are encouraged. The family event will start at 11am and will feature children’s activities, including live art activations, soccer practice with the Seattle Sounders, storytelling and face painting. The event will also include musical performances by NAAM’s African American Cultural Ensemble (ACE) and will feature a variety of speakers, including spoken word artist Tia-Nache and local historian Dr. daudi abe. There will also be voter registration and a hygiene supply drive during the event. The celebration will continue early into the evening with an after party featuring local DJ Chukundi “Kun Luv” Salisbury.
Exhibits featured during NAAM’s King’s Day reopening will be on view via 19th of June include:
- Hallway of Healing and Hope: The exhibit tells the story of the Colman School building.
- Making a Path: jacob lawrence and the Northwest Black Experience – This exhibition celebrates the life and artistic legacy of jacob lawrence as a northwestern artist.
- The Colors of Life: African American Abstract Art and Community Gathering – This exhibition uses colorful abstract works by Northwest African and African-American artists to resurrect our hope, connection, contemplation, and action as a community. Featured artists include LoMar Metoyer, yeggy michael, shantell jackson, Vincent Keele.
- A long road to hope: the photography of from seattle Martin Luther King Jr. March – This exhibition shows the energy and magnitude of from seattle Annual King’s Day march through photos taken by a photographer fried susan.
- Northwest Aisle Notables – An aisle with photos of notable African-American musicians from the Northwest and a thoughtful quote from each of them.
NAAM is also partnering with the Onyx Fine Arts Collective to exhibit works by five Black artists from the Collective: Asha Helmstetter, Johnny Harris, eddie cane, Ashby ReedY Ernest D Thomas.
“NAAM is an institution that captures our hopes and dreams in a world of pandemics and troubles,” said former Seattle Mayor norman rice and a member of the NAAM board. “Our region is happy to see NAAM reopen. Our past and future are at NAAM, where great things are happening.”
For more information about NAAM King’s Day, visit https://www.naamnw.org/king-day-2023.
The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) is a regionally renowned institution located in the historic Colman School within from seattle Central District. Since its opening in 2008, hundreds of thousands of visitors have come to the museum to view exhibits, participate in dynamic public programs, and participate in private events. As the premier African American museum in the region, NAAM fills a void in the regional cultural scene by offering a space where community members come to reflect, gain perspective, learn, listen, and heal. NAAM uses Black history, art, and culture as a starting point that inspires, empowers, and informs all visitors about ourselves and our shared past. NAAM’s mission is to spread awareness, understanding, and enjoyment of the histories, arts, and cultures of people of African descent for the enrichment of all.
Contact: Imani Gaddy | [email protected]
SOURCE African American Museum of the Northwest
