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Permanent Exhibition
This unique, long-term exhibition serves as the central experience of The Wright Museum. The 22,000 square-foot exhibition space contains more than 20 galleries that allow patrons to travel over time and across geographic boundaries. The journey begins in Africa, the cradle of human life. Witness several ancient and early modern civilizations that evolved on the continent. Cross the Atlantic Ocean, experience the tragedy of the middle passage and encounter those... Click here to read more »
June 29, 2018 – February 28, 2019
Featuring more than 20 fashion designers and 11 hair stylists, Oh You Fancy! provides a brief history of African American designing, creating, and influencing fashion wear and hairstyles, both nationally and internationally... Click here to read more »
July 13, 2018 – March 31, 2019
In this exhibition, Music and Saints, Jerome Wright features 19 new works that capture spirituality in various forms, from religious worship to music. Wright is a prolific artist, musician, and dancer who works primarily with oil pastels... Click here to read more »
How could the author of the Declaration of Independence own slaves? How could twenty percent of the population of the new United States, founded on the principles of liberty and equality, be forced to live in bondage? What was life like for enslaved people in the early republic? Who was Sally Hemmings? This exhibition uses Monticello as a lens through which to examine these questions. Click here to read more »
December 20, 2019 – April 29, 2020
There is no singular way to address the conversation about race and representation in contemporary art. The artists of Personal to Political capture the many personal narratives and political battles of African American artists across the country, reflecting a collective experience expressed in uniquely individual ways.
July 15, 2019 – December 3, 2019
Drawn from the collection of Dennis and Debra Scholl, this exhibition will present a number of beautifully designed totems created by indigenous Australian Aborigines. It is the second Aboriginal exhibition offered to the Museum by the Scholls for no rental fee. The museum is required to pay one-way shipping, installation, marketing, etc.
Permanent Exhibition
This comprehensive, high-tech exhibition highlights trailblazers, contemporaries and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. African Americans have contributed to the scientific and engineering output of the United States since the 17th century, and this history is brought to life through interactive computer kiosks, a touchscreen video wall, and hands-on activities and play areas teaching basic engineering concepts. Four disciplines of scientific advancement are explored: Physical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, and Technology & Engineering... Click here to read more »
October 18, 2016 - May 2018 Extended
Leni Sinclair is a renowned visual historian, photographer, social and political activist. Beginning in the 1960s, she documented live performances of legendary American and world musicians, especially those that performed in Detroit, Michigan. Through her work she has amassed an amazing collection of images that reflect the superb talent and artistry found in live musical performances... Click here to read more »
Ongoing Exhibition
Twenty-six interactive stations make up a three-dimensional "dictionary" designed for children from pre-school through fourth grade in A is for Africa. Organized by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, this long-term installation introduces young visitors to an array of interesting persons, places, events, ideas, foods and objects important to understanding the histories and cultures of Africa. While focusing on young children, those who are older will certainly find this activity enjoyable... Click here to read more »
Ongoing Exhibition
Located on the floor of the Ford Freedom Rotunda, is Genealogy, a work designed by artist Hubert Massey. The creation depicts the struggles of African Americans in this country. Each figure is symbolic of an experience, from slavery to present day violence, the hunger for knowledge, the importance of spirituality and the upward mobility of African Americans. Surrounding this 37-foot floor are bronze nameplates of prominent African Americans in history. Each year new names are added to this Ring of Genealogy... Click here to read more »
Ongoing Exhibition
The works of art included in this long-term installation focus on three areas of African American culture and history. The Musicians celebrates everyday people who have exercised their right to interpret the world as they see it through songs and instruments. Dance and Dancers on the other hand, honors those artists who use their bodies as the medium to express non-verbal emotions, themes and ideas. And Freedom Advocates is dedicated to notable African Americans who fought and died to ensure dignity and freedom for themselves and their people... Click here to read more »
Ongoing Exhibition
The museum is pleased to present Detroit Performs!, a photomontage dedicated to those who gained national and often international prominence in the performing arts. Although a majority of these artists moved here from other regions, especially the south, they claimed Detroit as their own, usually crediting it as the place where they honed their skills. Many of these innovators, John Lee Hooker, Tommy Flanagan and Mattie Moss Clark among them, put unique spins on existing art forms such as blues, jazz and gospel... Click here to read more »
