Bryan Collier, “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. cared about all Americans,” from Martin’s Big Words, 2001, Water color and collage. Renowned children’s book illustrator, Bryan Collier’s exhibition, “Bryan Collier, Illustrator: Celebrating Juneteenth,” will be on display at the Academy Art Museum May 10 through July 20, 2014.
The Frederick Douglass Honor Society and the Academy Art Museum are hosting the fourth annual Juneteenth event, Celebrating Heroes and Emancipation Day, which takes place on Saturday, June 21, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Academy Art Museum. Juneteenth commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation and the achievements of African- Americans.
Easton’s Juneteenth celebration started with the dedication of the Frederick Douglass statue on Talbot County’s courthouse lawn. Subsequent years, the Juneteenth event honored the remarkable achievements of World War II’s Tuskegee Airmen and the archeological finds of the Hill Project, highlighting the early local African American community heritage, and heroic forbearers like Buffalo Soldier William Gardner.
This year, the event will focus on Gospel music with performances by numerous choirs and musical groups from around our region. Local schools, college and community gospel choirs have all signed on to celebrate singers and songwriters from the past who have inspired people through song. In addition, Terron Quailes, who graduated from Easton High School and now attends Salisbury University, will sing at Friday’s opening reception at the Museum where local legends, Rev. Mary Sullivan and Rev. William F. Holt, will be honored.
The Museum is hosting an exhibition by renowned children’s book illustrator Bryan Collier, “Bryan Collier, Illustrator: Celebrating Juneteenth,” May 10 through July 20, 2014. Originally from Pocomoke on the lower Eastern Shore, Mr. Collier has won numerous awards for his work, including the prestigious Caldecott Honor Medal for Martin’s Big Words: the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As part of our Juneteenth celebration, Mr. Collier will offer a book reading and will sign his works.
The Museum will also offer a fun family art project creating colorful silhouette art and student art work, which will be hung on the Museum’s fence (weather permitting). There will also be informational displays and vendors providing food at the event, which will be held rain or shine. For further information, visit www.academyartmuseum.org/juneteenth or call 410-822-2787.
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