Walls of Heritage, Walls of Pride:
African American Murals
An exhibition of murals created by
African American artists across the United States
May 5 - June 30, 2004
Black Women
Sharon Dunn Mandela
Paul Goodnight
Co-curated by Robin Dunitz and James Prigoff, Walls of Heritage,
Walls of Pride: African American Murals is the first comprehensive
exhibition that illustrates the development of historic and
contemporary murals created by African American artists around
the country.
We're All in the Same Gang Jameel
Parker
Growing out of a response to the exclusion of African American
artists from mainstream museums and galleries and a desire
to correct distortions in the historical record, these murals
are a spirited depiction of the struggle by African Americans
to gain the rights of recognition, citizenship, and autonomy.
This important form of public art has served to shape a populist
narrative, heal and unify communities, and build multicultural
understanding through common themes and collaboration.
Knowledge is Power, Stay in School
Dana Chandler
Beginning with early 20th century work by masters such as
Charles White, Aaron Douglas, Hale Woodruff, and John Biggers,
the exhibition documents the evolution of imagery affected
by history and context. Many influences are evident: the Mexican
mural movement of the 1920's and 1930's; the Harlem Renaissance;
the landmark collaborative mural, Wall of Respect, created
in 1967 on Chicago's south side; the support of historically
Black colleges and universities; the social activism and upheaval
of the 1960's; African imagery; hip hop culture; and the abundance
of urban walls.
From the Pyramids to the Projects
African Latino Alliance
Originally exhibited at the University Art Gallery of California
State University Dominguez Hills, Walls of Heritage, Walls
of Pride, as presented in the CAC Gallery, will add to the
original exhibition and bring to wider attention important
African American murals in the Boston area, including work
by Dana Chandler, Paul Goodnight, Jameel Parker, and Gary
Rickson. Programming accompanying the exhibition will include
a bus tour of murals in the area, a panel discussion at the
Cambridge Center for Adult Education, and a slide lecture.
Robin Dunitz, co-curator, is an authority on mural art in
the United States. She is co-author, with James Prigoff, of
the 280-page, full-color book, Walls of Heritage, Walls of
Pride: African American Murals (Pomegranate Press, 2000).
Dunitz is also author of Street Gallery: Guide to 1000 Los
Angeles Murals (RJD Enterprises, 1992, 1998) and a board member
of the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles.
James Prigoff, co-curator, has been documenting street art
throughout the United States since the early 1970's. He is
co-author of Spraycan Art (Thames and Hudson, 1987) and, with
Robin Dunitz, Painting the Towns: Murals of California (RJD
Enterprises, 1997). He directs the mural tour program and
is a board member of the Social and Public Art Resource Center.
The CAC Gallery is located in the Cambridge City Hall Annex
at 344 Broadway, at the corner of Broadway and Inman Street.
Metered parking is available on Inman Street and Broadway.
Directions via MBTA: Take the MBTA Red Line to Central Square.
At street level proceed west on Massachusetts Avenue (towards
Harvard Square) to Inman Street. Turn right and proceed north
for four blocks to Broadway.
CAC Gallery hours:
M, Tu, W, F: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Th: 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Walls of Heritage, Walls of Pride:
African American Murals
May 5 - June 30, 2004
Related programming presented by CAC Gallery and
the Cambridge Center for Adult Education
(Please note 2 locations.)
Opening Reception:
Thursday, May 13, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
CAC Gallery, Cambridge City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway
Panel Discussion:
Tuesday, May 25, 8:00 p.m.
Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 56 Brattle Street, Admission
Free
The evening will begin with a slide survey of African American
murals. The ensuing panel will include Boston artists who
will talk about their work in light of the national and social
context. Panelists will include: Edmund Barry Gaither, founder
of the Museum of National Center for Afro-American Artists;
Robin Dunitz, co-curator and co-author of Walls of Heritage,
Walls of Pride; muralists Jameel Parker and Paul Goodnight
Boston Mural Tour:
Saturday, June 5, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Bus leaves from Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 42 Brattle
Street
For tickets phone: 617-547-6789 ext 1 (event code BOMU)
$15 tour fee
Cambridge and Boston are home to many significant and beautiful
murals and works of public art by African American artists.
Edmund Barry Gaither shares some of his favorites, along with
their fascinating stories.
Slide Lecture:
Thursday, June 10, 7:00 p.m.
CAC Gallery, Cambridge City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway,
Admission Free
James Prigoff, co-author of Walls of Heritage, Walls of Pride,
will give a slide-illustrated lecture about the history of
African American murals nationwide.
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