African American and Black Art History Tour at the Smithsonian

The SMITHSONIAN’s AMERICAN ART MUSEUM & NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY has an extensive collection of art-work where the artist and/or subject is African American / Black. Our program is an early evening guided art and history tour featuring both lesser-known and well-known works, including the popular portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama. These will be presented in the context of African American / Black history themes such as diaspora, slavery, the underground railroad, emancipation, the great migration, the Harlem renaissance, civil rights, black lives matter, etc. In 2018 we were surprised not to find any similar programs focusing on AFRICAN AMERICAN / BLACK ART, and so in the spirit of “_be the change you want to see_,” we developed this tour. Your tour host will be ROBERT KELLEMAN: the founder of the non-profit community organization Washington, DC History & Culture, art history major (University of Michigan), former employee of the Detroit Institute of Arts, etc. Group participation and discussion strongly encouraged!   REGISTRATION: As this is a limited space event and to reduce “no shows” there is a $8.00 per person registration-in-advance fee / donation to attend, with proceeds supporting our Washington, DC History & Culture non-profit community programs. Full refund if the event is cancelled or if you change your RSVP to “no” at least 48 hours beforehand. You do not need to bring your ticket/confirmation with you; upon arrival we’ll just check your name off our RSVP list.   WEATHER: This program is indoors and will thus take place rain or shine.   MEETING POINT: 4:45 pm sharp inside of the KOGOD COURTYARD, a large interior space in the center of the museum’s ground floor (pictured below). Please note that we’re NOT meeting at the lobby information desk. Look for your host Robert, wearing a cream-colored scarf, and a group of friendly people. We’ll have our traditional group “icebreaker” introductions to get to know one another and then proceed on our tour. For anyone arriving late, we’ll be on the first floor (starting on the G St. side), the third floor, and then the second floor.   ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: Anything that can’t be answered by the above event description, Google, or common sense please let us know.       This program is presented by the non-profit community organization WASHINGTON, DC HISTORY & CULTURE: “_bringing people together to experience the history and culture of Washington, DC_.”   For more entertaining and educational programs visit us at: https://www.Facebook.com/DCHistoryAndCulture [https://www.Facebook.com/DCHistoryAndCulture] https://www.Meetup.com/DCHistoryAndCulture [https://www.Meetup.com/DCHistoryAndCulture] https://DCHistoryAndCulture.Eventbrite.com [https://DCHistoryAndCulture.Eventbrite.com] http://www.youtube.com/c/WashingtonDCHistoryCulture [http://www.youtube.com/c/WashingtonDCHistoryCulture] https://www.Instagram.com/DCHistoryAndCulture [https://www.Instagram.com/DCHistoryAndCulture] #DCHistoryAndCulture     We look forward to seeing you - thanks! Robert Kelleman Washington, DC History & Culture rkelleman@yahoo.com 202-821-6325 (text only)