Current Exhibitions
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Gems from the Wright Museum
-More About This ExhibitionThis exhibition highlights the cherished heirlooms, family traditions, and stories passed down by Black Detroiters. Divided into 6 sections, our collection spans multiple countries and decades, preserves American history, documents important people and places, and captures everyday life.
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I, Charles H. Wright
Celebrating 60 YearsMore About This ExhibitionAs we approach the 60th anniversary of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, our exhibitions are looking back at our roots. We have created an in-house exhibition centered on our founder, Charles Howard Wright, M.D. (1918-2002), that celebrates his life and achievements.
Permanent Exhibitions
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And Still We Rise
Permanent ExhibitionMore About This ExhibitionFrom the tragedy of the Middle Passage to the heroism of the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, And Still We Rise offers a comprehensive look at the history of African-American resilience.
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Ring of Genealogy
Permanent ExhibitionMore About This ExhibitionMaster muralist Hubert Massey lent his creative talent to The Wright to produce this floor-sized installation for the Ford Freedom Rotunda.
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Stories in Stained Glass
Permanent ExhibitionMore About This ExhibitionMusicians, dancers, freedom advocates: for stained glass artist Samuel A. Hodge, these figures are beacons of hope and transformation in African-American history and culture.
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Honoring the Life and Legacy of Judge Damon J. Keith
Permanent ExhibitionMore About This ExhibitionWe are proud to open our newest gallery in our And Still We Rise permanent exhibition.
Past Exhibitions
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Paul Collins: The Traveling Artist
-More About This ExhibitionMichigan artist Paul Collins has built an enduring legacy through his talent for capturing the nuanced complexity of the human experience.
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Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin
-More About This ExhibitionFrontline Prophet: James Baldwin is a traveling exhibition by Detroit-based creative, Sabrina Nelson. The exhibition consists of unique works birthed from Nelson’s meditation on James Baldwin and is co-curated by Ashara Ekundayo and Omo Misha.
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Double ID
-More About This ExhibitionFrom April to October of 2024, The Wright hosted the visual art exhibition Double ID, which featured dozens of works from the collection of acclaimed actor CCH Pounder-Koné.
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Adreinne Waheed: The Audacity to Thrive
-More About This ExhibitionThe first museum exhibition of Waheed’s work, The Audacity to Thrive explores the boldness of African-descended peoples, who thrive in the face of challenges.
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John E. Dowell: Paths to Freedom
-More About This ExhibitionPaths to Freedom presents photographs, an immersive installation, and new video work by Philadelphia-based artist John E. Dowell.
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Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design
-More About This ExhibitionThis new exhibition features over 60 of the Two-Time Academy Award winning costumer designer’s original designs from iconic films such as Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Malcolm X, Do The Right Thing, and more.
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Being Seen
-More About This ExhibitionBeing Seen is a contemporary art exhibition featuring four Detroit-based artists, Joyce Jeffrey, Tia Nichols, April Anue Shipp, and Cara Marie Young.
Visit the exhibition in Gallery B
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d. Tree Studio: The Past, Present, and Future of Detroit Trees
-More About This Exhibitiond.Tree Studio: The Past, Present, and Future of Detroit Trees is a special exhibition in partnership with the College for Creative Studies. Describing a five-year journey of building a new relationship with the city's trees.
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Derrick Adams: Sanctuary
-More About This ExhibitionDerrick Adams: Sanctuary is an exhibition inspired by The Negro Motorist Green Book, an annual guidebook for Black American road-trippers published by Victor Hugo Green during the Jim Crow era in America.
Visit the exhibition in the AT&T Gallery.
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Mapping the Michigan Green Book
-More About This ExhibitionInspired by The Negro Motorist Green Book, this exhibition explores the way Black Detroiters vacationed with a specific focus on Michigan.
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Detroit Jazz: The Legacy Continues
-More About This ExhibitionDetroit Jazz: The Legacy Continues highlights Detroit Jazz Musicians who also made an impact on the local, national, and international Jazz Scene.
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Jazz Greats: Classic Photographs from the Bank of America Collection
-More About This ExhibitionJazz Greats: Classic Photographs from the Bank of America Collection celebrates the legacy of singers, musicians, audiences, and artists who contributed to the cultural footprint of jazz.
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To Whom Much is Given
-More About This ExhibitionTo Whom Much is Given is an exhibition and a complimentary suite of programs about the lives and careers of Dell Pryor and Josephine Love.
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44: Portraits of a President
-More About This Exhibition44: Portraits of a President is a collective sculptural show created to recognize and celebrate the historical significance of the first African American President of the United States, Barack Obama.
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Posters on Politics
-More About This ExhibitionThis exhibition reminds us that others view the United States as a model for democracy. Yet, some of the artists remain nameless. Could they be afraid of retribution for creating art that critiques governance in America?
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Detroit Performs!
-More About This ExhibitionDetroit Performs! celebrates the luminaries of theater, dance, and music that transformed the Motor City's performing arts scene, and with it, the American pop culture landscape.