Apr

SI Day at the Anacostia Community Museum

Smithsonian staff, interns and volunteers are invited to an open house at the Anacostia Community Museum on Thursday, May 6. Participants will receive a docent-led tour of two exhibitions, “The African Presence in México: From Yanga to the Present” and “Who Are They Now? Roots, Resistance, and Recognition.”

Photo: (Click on thumbnail for fullsize image.) “Self Portrait: The Copper-Toned Black Man Carrying One Thousand Years on My Palette, City of Tlacotlalpan/Autorretrato: El negro cobrizo cargando mil años en mi paleta, La ciudad Tlacotlalpan” by Ignacio Canela (b. 1950), 1999, National Museum of Mexican Art Permanent Collection. (Photo by Michael Tropea)

"Summer's Dream/Sueno de verano" by Maximino Javier (b. 1950), 2002, oil on canvas/oleo sobre tela, Collection of Galeria Quetzalli.

“The African Presence in México” examines the history, culture and art of Afro-Mexicans, beginning in the colonial era and continuing to the present day. Highlights of the exhibition include discussions of African slavery in Mexico and the hero/slave rebel Yanga; artifacts related to the traditions and popular culture of Afro-Mexicans; and paintings, masks, photography and other works of art.

The companion exhibit, “Who Are We Now?” charts the history of the relationship between Mexicans and African Americans in the United States as well as the relationship between African Americans and the country of Mexico.

Participants will also enjoy a curator’s talk on upcoming exhibitions, learn more about our Museum Academy Program, and receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum that will include a visit to the collections area, archives and library. Available for sale will be the exhibition catalogue from “The African Presence in México” ($28 with Smithsonian ID), and posters from the permanent exhibition “Separate and Unequaled: Black Baseball in the District of Columbia” ($16 with Smithsonian ID).

A shuttle bus will depart from the front of the Castle (Mall side) at 9:00 a.m. (returning at 12:05 p.m.) and at 12:15 p.m. (returning at 3:10 p.m.)

Because of time limitations, participants are encouraged to eat lunch on their own either before or after their tour. Reservations are required. For reservations call (202) 633-4875 (non-VoIP users) or 34875 (VoIP users) or e-mail ACMRSVP@si.edu.

For more information about this event contact Jenelle Cooper Tolson at (202) 633-4867 or jctolson@si.edu