Since its launch in 2018, the traveling exhibition has been shown in 15 US states, with more planned this year and beyond.
Exhibit Reach estimate = 31,200 people in 15 states
To learn more about bringing this exhibit to your institution visit tinyurl.com/tapstpe
To explore the online version of the exhibit visit sites.miamioh.edu/tellingapeoplesstory/
It’s now been 5 years since the highly impactful and farthest-reaching exhibition, Telling a People’s Story: African American Illustrated Children’s Literature was on view at the Richard and Carol Cocks Art Museum (formerly known as the Miami University Art Museum). Following this powerful exhibition, a traveling panel exhibit was created thanks to a generous grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation in Cleveland, OH. The exhibition is a celebration of the art, creativity, and storytelling that is a hallmark of African-American culture and is designed to introduce young audiences to the world of African American children’s literature. The panels help make the stories and art accessible to learners across the United States via display at schools, libraries, and other educational institutions.
Marking our 100th venue, exhibit curator Jason E. Shaiman shared, “We have reached a tremendous milestone in the life of Telling A People’s Story and how much this exhibition has inspired so many viewers to learn about and appreciate diversity. The exhibition has been shown in 15 US states, with more planned this year and beyond.”
The first venue was Indian Trail Elementary School in Canal Winchester, OH, in October 2018. The 100th venue is the Campbell County Middle School, Alexandria, KY, where the exhibition was displayed for the month of February.
The response from venues that have hosted the exhibition validates the importance of the exhibition and the far-reaching impact in making it available to all. Coordinators at some of the venues reflected on the exhibition, stating that “We feel lucky to have had it in our library. Our community benefited a great deal!”; “It was a real privilege to feature such amazing artwork in our space!”; “This is a wonderful exhibition and I encourage you to bring it to your library, school or museum to enrich your community!”; “They covered important history in an honest and celebratory manner. The images were vibrant and beautiful.”
Telling A People’s Story is not only an opportunity to appreciate the beauty and power of African American art and literature but also to reflect on the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. The exhibit provides a platform for important conversations about race, identity, and the ongoing fight for civil rights, and is designed to inspire young audiences to explore their own heritage and cultural identity. By sharing these stories and perspectives, the exhibition invites visitors to engage with the history and experiences of African Americans in a meaningful way.
#CelebratingBlackHistory #BlackHistoryMonth