It’s great to visit a place and get more than expected. That’s what happened to Jonathan and me when we visited the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. We went there to see the Romare Bearden exhibit and got so much more.
Romare Bearden, an African American artist, is known for his creative and textured collages through various photographic processes: etchings, aquatints, collagraphs, photo projections, lithographs and screenprints. Through his work, Bearden illustrated African American experiences, including slavery, civil rights, religion, love and jazz music.
Upon entering the museum, we learned that actors from the Arena Players, a renowned African-American regional theater, were performing excerpts from August Wilson plays to show the similarity in themes and universal relevance with Romare Bearden’s work. We came in on the end but were able to hear one song and two readings. The performances were well worth our visit, and we had yet to see the exhibit.
The Romare Bearden exhibit included 75 works and explained in detail how Bearden produced different art forms. It also relayed how many writers, including August Wilson, Langston Hughes and Toni Morrison, were inspired by Bearden’s work, which led them to used his artwork as the covers of their books.
Another added bonus to our museum visit was the Ulysses Marshall exhibit titled “Storytales.” This artist was also inspired by Bearden and produced mixed-media paintings that incorporated elements of collage and print-making. His work on display pays tribute to the sharecroppers, bluesmen, rural families and ancestral figures that form the continuum of African American experience.
If you are unfamiliar with Romare Bearden or Ulysses Marshall’s work, I encourage you to seek it out. Their works give beautiful and vivid illustrations of social and cultural issues facing the African American community.
In addition, the museum’s permanent exhibits focus on the history of the African American community in Maryland, including farming, politics, medicine, sports and education. There are interesting objects on display such as Dominique Dawes’ gymnastic leotard from the 1996 Olympics and medical tools used by Dr. Ben Carson.
If you are ever in Baltimore, definitely visit the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. It’s worth the trip.