A new summer is upon us! And with it comes a wealth of experiences that highlight African American artists and explore the African American experience. Here are some of those featured experiences that we hope you can attend.

1) Mandela: The Journey to Ubuntu, is a look into the influential South African leader Nelson Mandela’s life, as told through photography. Open now, through August 20th at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

2) The Predecessors, an exhibition from Nigerian artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby at the Contemporary Arts Center. The Predecessors delves deep into Crosby’s past, collecting portraits of her Nigerian family in a range of domestic settings. This exhibition will unite pieces from London, Johannesburg, New York and Los Angeles. Open now through October 20th.

3) The Duncanson Murals display at the Taft Museum of Art will be ongoing through the year. This exhibition by Robert Duncanson, the first African American artist to achieve an international reputation, was owned by former Taft Museum owner Nicholas Longworth who commissioned the eight paintings. They are a celebration of the Ohio River Valley, the place where Duncanson embarked to start his artistic career.

4) King Records Month in September. This month-long celebration of the iconic record label, with Cincinnati origins, has all kinds of fun for the whole family. From free jazz performances to a vinyl listening party, we invite you to come listen to the music that some of the most influential African Americans in history made, putting Cincinnati on the map.  

We hope these experiences resonate with you and your family! If you have any questions about these events or joining ArtsWave’s Circle of African American leaders for the Arts (CAALA), please reach out to Randy Martinez at 513.632.0110 or Randy.martinez@theartswave.org. ArtsWave’s Circle of African American Leaders for the Arts (CAALA) brings together men and women in our community who believe that the power of the Arts is bridging cultural divides.