NASHVILLE, TN – A groundbreaking art history course titled “Visionary Voices: African American Artists Building Connection Through Culture” is set to offer an enlightening exploration of African American art and its profound connections to culture and community. Hosted at the Frist Art Museum on Thursday, March 28, 2024, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., the event marks the beginning of a three-part series meticulously designed to deepen the understanding of African American visual narratives. Registration is required for those wishing to attend, with pricing set at $10 for members and $15 for non-members per class, and $30 for members and $45 for non-members for the entire course.
Presented by Dr. Cynthia Gadsden, an esteemed assistant professor of art history at Tennessee State University, the course aims to dissect the themes and multiple meanings embedded in the works of iconic African American artists such as John Biggers, Loïs Mailou Jones, and Malvin Gray Johnson. Dr. Gadsden, whose research encompasses the visual arts, the lived experience, and the transmission of knowledge through culture, brings a wealth of expertise to the course.
The series will kick off with a session focused on John Biggers on Thursday, March 28, highlighting the early twentieth-century art movement among African Americans and Biggers’s significant contributions. Attendees will gain insight into how Biggers and his contemporaries communicated diverse messages to varied audiences through their art.
Following this, the course will continue on Thursday, April 4, with a class dedicated to Loïs Mailou Jones. This session will delve into the role of cultural history in African American art, examining how Jones and others utilized African imagery to weave the narrative of African Americans within the broader global community authentically.
The final class, set for Thursday, April 11, will turn its focus to Malvin Gray Johnson, exploring the use of cultural iconography and symbols in African American art. This concluding session aims to equip participants with the knowledge to interpret these powerful images and understand their connections to life, death, family, and spirituality.
“Visionary Voices: African American Artists Building Connection Through Culture” promises to be an enlightening experience, offering a unique opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of African American art and its enduring impact on culture and society.
