As North Texans and tourists alike map out their summer, the African American Museum, Dallas in historic Fair Park rolls out an array of exciting offerings. Highlights include the North American debut of a stunning Southern African art exhibition, If You Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future, the beloved Texas Black Invitational Rodeo, a Father’s Day cookoff, Juneteenth programming, a women-of-color military exhibition and the Tulisoma South Dallas Book Fair.
For details on the Museum's summer happenings, see below:
IF YOU LOOK HARD ENOUGH, YOU CAN SEE OUR FUTURE EXHIBITION OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN MASTERWORKS FROM THE NANDO COLLECTION
Through Aug. 13 at the African American Museum, Dallas
Free and open to the public
The highly anticipated exhibition, If You Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future, recently made its North American debut at the African American Museum, Dallas. Receiving rave reviews from visitors and critics, the exhibition is made possible by the beloved restaurant group Nando’s, one of the largest collectors of contemporary Southern African art in the world. Exploring themes of apartheid, colonialism, politics and everyday life, the exhibition features nearly 60 pieces from emerging, mid-career and established artists, including Zanele Muholi, Vivien Kohler, Anastasia Pather and Portia Zvavahera. The selection of work is drawn from the collection’s strength in portraiture, landscape, cityscapes and abstraction.
FRANK FRAZIER – THE VISIONARY, THE ADVOCATE, THE ARTIST EXHIBITION
Through June 27, 2023, at the African American Museum, Dallas
Free and open to the public
Frank Frazier – The Visionary, The Advocate, The Artist charts the 60-year career of one of America’s most influential modern artists. The exhibition follows Frazier’s epic and polarizing career as he changes artistic styles and explores mixed media, all while leaving his mark on the global art world. The exhibition will feature more than 30 paintings and drawings from the Dallas-based artist’s public and private collections. Frazier’s works encompass the personal and the political, the abstract and the figurative, and the joy as well as the tragic in his images. Frazier’s work is greatly influenced by domestic and world affairs, from war and tragedy to humanities, activism and political movements. As a Vietnam and Purple Heart veteran, Frazier is familiar with war and many of his works detail his own experiences while serving.
COLOR OF FREEDOM EXHIBITION
June 13-July 29, 2023, at the African American Museum, Dallas
Free and open to the public
Born during a time when the country seeks healing amid persistent calls to dismantle systemic racism, this exhibit seeks to highlight the diversity of women of color in the nation’s defense. The interactive display includes the stories of various servicewomen of color and brings to light the impact that these women made while serving in various branches of the U.S. military.
ANNUAL PRESERVATION WORKSHOP
Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m.-noon, at the African American Museum, Dallas
Free and open to the public
Focusing on preserving family and local history, this workshop empowers participants to reunite with their families to uncover more about themselves and to uplift the ordinary and extraordinary people within their unique heritage.
JUNETEENTH PROGRAMMING
June 15, 16, 17 and 19 at the African American Museum, Dallas
Free and open to the public
In celebration of Juneteenth, the African American Museum, Dallas will offer gallery talks and tours, a book discussion, a presentation on the history of Juneteenth, music, vendors and more.
Thursday, June 15, AT&T Auditorium
6:30 p.m. – Opening program followed by a book discussion – Of Black Study by Dr. Josh Myer, Howard University
Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, Gallery C
1:30 and 3:30 p.m. – Gallery Talks – “Juneteenth and Freedman Cemetery” by Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney
1:30 and 3:30 p.m. – Gallery Talks – “If You Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future’ Selections of Contemporary South African Art from the Nando’s Art Collection” by Gerald Leavell
Monday, June 19 (Juneteenth)
10 a.m.-5 p.m. – Vendors under the Dome
1-2 p.m. – “The History of Juneteenth” by Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney (AAM) and Donald Cox (UNT) – AT&T Auditorium
2-3 p.m. - ‘Parallels: American Slavery and South Africa Apartheid” – Panel Discussion
2 p.m. – Music Under the Dome by violinist Gabrielle Clover
3 p.m. – Music Under the Dome (artist TBA)
23RD ANNUAL CITY MEN COOK
Sunday, June 18, from 3-6 p.m., at the African American Museum, Dallas
Tickets $10-$20 at citymencook.com
In honor of Father’s Day and falling on Juneteenth weekend, City Men Cook brings together the community for an afternoon of food tastings and friendly cooking competitions with local chefs, music, dancing and more in what is being billed as the “largest Sunday dinner in North Texas.” Tickets are $10 for children and $20 for adults at citymencook.com.
34TH TEXAS BLACK INVITATIONAL RODEO
Saturday, July 29, at 7 p.m., at the Fair Park Coliseum (1438 Coliseum Dr., Dallas 75210)
Tickets $10-$30 at fairparktix.com
A more than 30-year Dallas tradition, this family-fun rodeo features hundreds of African American cowboys and cowgirls as they compete for cash prizes in bronc and bull riding, calf and steer roping, barrel racing and a Pony Express relay race. Kicking off with the Grand Entry Parade at 6:30 p.m., the fast-paced event provides guests with a glimpse of the historical contributions that African Americans made in the settling of the western United States. Other highlights include trick lasso performances, music and more. Concessions will be available for sale inside the Coliseum. Tickets are $10-$15 (upper bowl); $25-$30 (lower bowl).
TULISOMA SOUTH DALLAS BOOK FAIR
Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the African American Museum, Dallas
Free and open to the public
Tulisoma – a Swahili word that means "we read" – is a community-based festival promoting literacy and the arts in the South Dallas/Fair Park area. With numerous authors and illustrators participating, the family-friendly event includes author presentations and readings, writing and art workshops, open mic poetry, performances, book signings, panel discussions, children’s story time, kids activities and more. In addition, The Sutton E. Griggs Awards dinner will take place Friday, Aug. 18, to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions in literature in the spirit of Rev. Sutton E. Griggs. This year’s honoree is Julienne Malveaux, esteemed economist, author, social and political commentator, and businesswoman. Tickets will be available at aamdallas.org.
HOURS.The African American Museum, Dallas is located at 3536 Grand Ave. in Dallas’ historic Fair Park. Hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free self-parking is available in nearby lots.
For more information, go to aamdallas.org or call214-565-9026. For the latest updates, follow the Museum on Instagram and Facebook.
About the African American Museum, Dallas
The African American Museum, Dallas was founded in 1974 as a part of Bishop College. The Museum has operated independently since 1979. For more than 40 years, the African American Museum has stood as a cultural beacon in Dallas and the Southwestern United States. Located in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, the African American Museum is the only museum in the Southwestern United States devoted to the collection, preservation and display of African American artistic, cultural and historical materials that relate to the African American experience. The African American Museum incorporates a wide variety of visual art forms and historical documents that portray the African American experience in the United States, Southwest, and Dallas. The Museum has a small, but rich collection of African art, African American fine art and one of the largest African American folk-art collections in the United States. Learn more at aamdallas.org.
