🔎 In Focus: Sonya Clark
“I consider hair a text in and of itself. Like the richest text you could possibly imagine.”
Sonya Clark (b. 1967) transforms materials like combs, coins, seed beads, and strands of human hair into powerful revelations of injustice and stirring tributes to her ancestors. She is best known for artwork that honors contemporary craftspeople like hairdressers and notable African American figures, including entrepreneur and activist Madam C.J. Walker.
Come check out the 4 new artist films playing in “In Focus: Artists at Work,” on the first floor of the museum! You can also watch the full 3-minute films on our website at nmwa.org/infocus or subscribe to our YouTube channel at the link in our bio. 🎞️
[Video description: Short clips of Sonya Clark working on different artworks.]
🔎 In Focus: Delita Martin
“That twinkle in the eye, the tilt of the head. Those are the things that I want to preserve.” 🪡
#DelitaMartin (b. 1972) identifies as a printmaker, but her artistic vision defies categorization. To learn more about her work, watch the full 3-minute artist film on our website at nmwa.org/infocus or subscribe to our YouTube channel at the link in our bio! You can also see an immersive version of the film (and more!) in the exhibition, “In Focus: Artists at Work,” on the first floor of the museum through May 19. 🎞️
[Video description: Short clips of Delita Martin in the process of creating artworks combined with close ups of finished artworks. The end slide reads “watch the full video nmwa.org/infocus #NMWAnow.]
Visions of America: Exploring “Herstory” – Trailblazing Women in Museum and Library Spaces
In this episode of VISIONS OF AMERICA: All Stories, All People, All Places, trailblazing women leading museums and libraries are highlighted. These are the women who have advocated for, founded, and inspired many of our nation’s most treasured institutions, and the women today, who are carrying on that legacy.
“What if Women Ruled the World” (2016) by Yael Bartana is back on view! 💡
NMWA acquired the neon sculpture by Bartana in 2017 in celebration of the museum’s 30th anniversary. Since then, the artwork has been a fan favorite on social media. Head to the 4th floor of the museum to check it out and strike a pose! Remember to share your pictures with us using #NMWAnow. 🤳
Coming October 21, 2023... 🔜 We are so excited to welcome everyone back to our new and improved museum! Check out this sneak peek into how the renovation is coming along and get a look at some of the amazing new features that will be available to visitors. Ticket sales will be open to members starting on September 12 and September 19 for the public; mark your calendars! 🎟️ #NMWAnow
#5WomenArtists
Here at NMWA we fight to right the balance of gender inequity all year long. That is why the 2023 #5WomenArtists theme is art+, fine arts and beyond! We are excited to share work from #musicians, #dancers, #writers, #architects, #fashiondesigners, #curators, and more who push creative boundaries in their fields. Celebrate your favorite artists, creatives, and organizations throughout the year using the #5WomenArtists hashtag! 🎉
The Tea: J Pope
In this online series, women musicians perform original work via live-stream on the museum’s social media channels on the first Friday of the month. Each session includes a short interview, conducted over a cup of tea, which explores the artist’s creative process.
Singer, MC and percussionist J Pope fell in love with music at church and was influenced by D.C. go-go artists as well as trailblazing Black female vocalists including Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan, Lauryn Hill and fellow D.C.-area native Me’shell Ndegeocello. With her band, The HearNow, Pope performs nationally and has opened for artists including Esperanza Spalding, Robert Randolph, The Wailers, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Tank and the Bangas.
#5WomenArtists 2022
Can you name #5WomenArtists? 🎨 While those of you following us probably can, many people around the world still cannot! We need your help to change that. An easy place to start is by seeking and sharing art by women all year round, so that we can champion women artists and combat gender inequity in the arts together.
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To get you started, here are #5WomenArtists represented in the NMWA collection—plus one more!
1. Hung Liu
2. Ambreen Butt Art
3. Graciela Iturbide
4. Faith Ringgold
5. Sonya Clark
6. Judy Chicago
The Tea: Rachel Andie
In this online series, women musicians perform original work via live-stream on the museum’s social media channels on the first Friday of the month. Each session includes a short interview, conducted over a cup of tea, which explores the artist’s creative process. The Tea proudly welcomes singer Rachel Andie this month.
Rachel Andie is a Japanese American multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Philadelphia, PA. In January 2018, she formed an ambient folk rock outfit, Rachel Andie & The Fifth Element. Through a successful Kickstarter campaign, they recorded their first live studio album Tu Me Manques and, in the summer of 2019, completed their first East Coast tour. They have been featured on NPR and WXPN Philadelphia and have performed at the SXSW Official Showcase, the Philadelphia Folk Festival and more. They are currently working on their second studio album, which will be released in early 2022. Andie also plays as a saxophonist/flutist in multiple bands in the U.S., New Zealand and Colombia. Her musical versatility has given her the opportunity to play music all over the world, connecting to and being inspired by different cultures and art scenes.
Curative Collective Conversation: Makeda Thomas
In this series, join us for in-depth interviews with the Curative Collective, a group of Women, Arts, and Social Change partners working at the intersection of food, art, and social change. From advocacy and social justice to healing and restorative self-care, this diverse collective serves communities throughout the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. The Curative Collective is also working on NMWA’s exhibition, RECLAMATION: Recipes, Remedies, and Rituals to make sure that the exhibition incorporates local communities and their perspectives. This week dancer and artist Makeda Thomas joins us to talk about her artistic practice.
Curative Collective Conversation: Tola Akerele
In this series, join us for in-depth interviews with the Curative Collective, a group of Women, Arts, and Social Change partners working at the intersection of food, art, and social change. From advocacy and social justice to healing and restorative self-care, this diverse collective serves communities throughout the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. The Curative Collective is also working on NMWA’s exhibition, RECLAMATION: Recipes, Remedies, and Rituals to make sure that the exhibition incorporates local communities and their perspectives. This week Nigerian interior designer Tola Akerele joins us to discuss her book The Orishirishi Cookbook (2020).
The Tea: Julie Dexter
In this online series, women musicians perform original work via live-stream on the museum’s social media channels on the first Friday of the month. Each session includes a short interview, conducted over a cup of tea, which explores the artist’s creative process. The Tea proudly welcomes singer Julie Dexter this month.
Curative Collective Conversation: Shana Klein
In this series, join us for in-depth interviews with the Curative Collective, a group of Women, Arts, and Social Change partners working at the intersection of food, art, and social change. From advocacy and social justice to healing and restorative self-care, this diverse collective serves communities throughout the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. The Curative Collective is also working on NMWA’s exhibition, RECLAMATION: Recipes, Remedies, and Rituals to make sure that the exhibition incorporates local communities and their perspectives.
This week, we are joined by Shana Klein, author of “The Fruits of Empire: Art, Food, and the Politics of Race in the Age of American Expansion.” This book demonstrates how pictures of food were not mere decoration, but a platform for artists and viewers to discuss heated debates over race and citizenship.
Curative Collective Conversation: Lisa Pegram
In this series, join us for in-depth interviews with the Curative Collective, a group of Women, Arts, and Social Change partners working at the intersection of food, art, and social change. From advocacy and social justice to healing and restorative self-care, this diverse collective serves communities throughout the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. The Curative Collective is also working on NMWA’s exhibition, RECLAMATION: Recipes, Remedies, and Rituals to make sure that the exhibition incorporates local communities and their perspectives.
This week, we are joined by Lisa Pegram, a writer, educator, foodie and author of Cracked Calabash (Central Square Press). She is currently a literary publicist and acquisitions editor with a particular interest in authors who write books about the lives and concerns of women and people of color. Her own work most often explores life’s prism through the lens of wellness and food.
October Brews and Views
Celeste Beatty, founder of the Harlem Brewing Company, hosts a monthly happy hour to highlight topics in beer making, the restaurant industry, art, politics, culture, and more. In this inaugural conversation, Beatty will be joined by Dr. J Jackson-Beckham, principal at Crafted for All and executive director of Craft X EDU. They will discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion in the beer industry.
Before the conversation, bartenders from Chocolate City’s Best will demonstrate how to make a signature cocktail, mocktail and offer a beer pairing for the conversation.
Curative Collective Conversation: WANDA
In this series, join us for in-depth interviews with the Curative Collective, a group of Women, Arts, and Social Change partners working at the intersection of food, art, and social change. From advocacy and social justice to healing and restorative self-care, this diverse collective serves communities throughout the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. The Curative Collective is also working on NMWA’s exhibition, RECLAMATION: Recipes, Remedies, and Rituals to make sure that the exhibition incorporates local communities and their perspectives.
This week, we are joined by WANDA, a Black women-led social justice 501c3 nonprofit organization based in the District of Columbia. Launched in 2016, WANDA is on a mission to grow a new crop of food sheroes from farm to health across the African Diaspora through education, advocacy and innovation. They transform lives and families through #FoodForTheCulture.
The Tea: Prowess the Testament
In this online series, women musicians perform original work via live-stream on the museum’s social media channels on the first Friday of the month. Each session includes a short interview, conducted over a cup of tea, which explores the artist’s creative process. The Tea proudly welcomes Prowess the Testament this month.
Prowess’ artistic and diplomatic roots cultivated her natural gift as a performer in the indie hip hop scene. KRS-One gifted Prowess with her moniker following a standout performance during a Hip Hop Appreciation Week event. Since 2014, she has been forging a path all her own while creating a number of artistic works that reflect her unique vibe—an unsuspecting and compassionate demeanor that produces a raw yet melodic sound.
Curative Collective Conversation: Maggie Pate
In this series, join us for in-depth interviews with the Curative Collective, a group of Women, Arts, and Social Change partners working at the intersection of food, art, and social change. From advocacy and social justice to healing and restorative self-care, this diverse collective serves communities throughout the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area. The Curative Collective is also working on NMWA’s exhibition, RECLAMATION: Recipes, Remedies, and Rituals to make sure that the exhibition incorporates local communities and their perspectives.
This week, we are joined by Maggie Pate, the designer and purveyor of Nåde, a natural dye studio. She’ll share more about her process in creating her work for RECLAMATION, her top #5WomenArtists that inspire her, and what she is working on now. This event will be livestreamed on NMWA’s page and at nmwa.org/livestream.
The Tea: Navasha Daya
In this online series, women musicians perform original work via live-stream on the museum’s social media channels on the first Friday of the month. Each session includes a short interview, conducted over a cup of tea, which explores the artist’s creative process. The Tea proudly welcomes singer Navasha Daya today!
