TMA Extends Exhibit, Plans Black History Month Activities
TOLEDO, OHIO–The Toledo Museum of Art is extending its popular Aminah Robinson: Voices That Taught Me How to Sing exhibition through April 10 in Gallery 4 at the Glass Pavilion®.
The free exhibition, originally scheduled to close in late February, showcases The Ragmud Collection by noted African American artist Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson. Made possible through the generosity of TMA members, the exhibition is supported in part by Libbey, Inc. and the sustainable grant program of the Ohio Arts Council.
The exhibition is among several activities at the Museum during Black History Month that focus attention on the cultural contributions of African Americans.
In her sculptural work, Robinson combines traditional art materials with found and everyday objects to create enchanting two- and three-dimensional works of art. Densely packed with imagery and materials, her work is a cross between folk art, quilting and high art. The Ragmud Collection is a set of books that contain sculptural pieces, drawings, poems, stories, books-within-books, extended pullouts and cases.
Robinson incorporates storytelling of some kind, whether it references the historical past, her family history or her explorations of her ancestry, in all of her work. Memories of growing up in Poindexter Village, a Columbus, Ohio neighborhood, and her experiences traveling through the African Diaspora are recurring themes. Several works specifically explore her close relationships with family.
Museum staff hope that, especially during Black History Month, Toledoans of all backgrounds will come and take part in the exhibition-related Community Voices Project. A multitude of found objects— buttons, ribbons, bits of fabric and other items—have been placed on a table in Gallery 4 where visitors, inspired by Robinson’s books, can express themselves by creating pages that will become part of a book of Toledo memories. Some of the pages created by visitors so far are posted on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32968453@N05/).
"We are pleased by how many people have been inspired by Aminah Robinson’s work," said Amy Gilman, curator of modern and contemporary art.
"People really love this show. We hope that many more area residents and families will stop by and contribute to our Community Voices Project in the weeks ahead."
Admission to the Museum and the exhibition are free.
Here’s a list of some more Museum activities during Black History Month:
FREE Family Center Activities: Celebrate Black History!
Tuesday, Feb. 1 and Thursday, Feb. 3: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Family Center Inspired by the Aminah Robinson exhibition, children under the age of 10 and their adult companions can make and decorate their own drums and musical instruments to tell a story through music.
FREE Club Friday Music
Friday, Feb. 4: 6:30–9:30 p.m., Cloister The Murphys (jazz)
FREE Performance: Music, Poetry and Dance to Celebrate the African American Experience Saturday, Feb. 5: 3 p.m., Great Gallery
The lyrics and poetry of spirituals, gospel and praise music paint a picture of the life of African Americans. The music played a role in the transition from slavery to freedom as well as chronicled the agony, pain, hopes and aspirations of African Americans. These songs helped to establish a need for a change in the existing social order. Margaret Barron performs.
FREE Public Tours
Aminah Robinson: Voices that Taught Me How to Sing Exhibition Sunday, Feb. 6: 3 p.m., Glass Pavilion® Friday, Feb. 11: 6:30 and 7 p.m., Glass Pavilion® Saturday, Feb. 19: 2 and 3 p.m., Glass Pavilion®
African and African American Art
Friday, Feb. 18: 6:30 and 7 p.m., Meet in Libbey Court
FREE Celebrating the Art of Storytelling
Friday, Feb. 11: 7:30 p.m., Glass Pavilion® GlasSalon Local storyteller Odessa Rowan brings to life different cultures from around the world in the same spirit as artist Aminah Robinson shows us her world. Rowan has told stories in New York City as a children’s librarian as well as in Indianapolis and Baltimore. A member of Frogtown Storytellers, she now is often found telling tales in Michigan and Ohio.
FREE Hands-on Activity: Storytelling Figures
Friday, Feb. 18: 7–9 p.m., Glass Pavilion® GlasSalon Tell your own story by making stick figures that represent the important people in your life using popsicle sticks and a variety of materials. All ages invited.
FREE Hands-on Activity: People in Your Neighborhood
Sunday, Feb. 27: 2–4 p.m., Glass Pavilion® GlasSalon Who are the people in your neighborhood? Let Aminah Robinson's stories of life in Poindexter Village inspire you to create your own illustrated neighborhood. All ages invited.
Press Release Contact Name: Teri Sharp
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Organization Name: Toledo Museum of Art