Bethany Arts Community Presents “Black History & Culture: Fulfilling the Vision in Westchester”

BAC’s 3rd annual Black History Month exhibition “Black History & Culture: Fulfilling the Vision in Westchester”

In February 2021 and 2022, Ossining was gifted a welcomed treat. The exhibit “Ossining Black History & Culture: RESILENCE. DEDICATION. EXCELLENCE,” was an ode to the Ossining African American Community and its historic contributions. With the support of our sponsors and community, the exhibit was a source of local pride and received the 2021 NYS Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick Heritage & History Award. Elected Officials, including Congressman Jones and Senator Reichlin-Melnick, attended. 

The 3rd installment of this award-winning exhibit will open on January 28, 2023, and go through March 3, 2023. The theme is “Fulfilling the Vision.” 

It will expand the historic storytelling out of the Ossining borders into the surrounding communities. Each uniquely themed Exhibit Gallery will highlight the steps taken by black visionaries in our neighborhoods who worked diligently, intentionally, and purposefully to uplift the black race in Westchester and beyond. The exhibition will utilize oral history accounts and genealogical research to unearth the histories of Black entrepreneurs, organizations, and lawmakers from all facets of the community’s business and social life.  

Programming will include concerts, talks (including a talk with Madam CJ Walker’s great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles), and living museum actors with events in person, online, and traveling throughout the year with the History Walls. 

We are excited to announce our partnership with The Ossining School District and their commitment of 2,000 student visitors and families for 2023. Starting in 2022 we began training High School students in exhibit leadership as Museum Docents. The Docents guide younger students through the exhibit’s educational experiences. This program was widely successful and will continue as part of the program in 2023.  We have partnered with Claremont School in Ossining to curate one of the rooms, the “I Have a Dream” Corridor. The Claremont scholars will create the artwork which we will select to be displayed for the duration of the exhibit.  

Free admission during gallery hours.

EXHIBITION DATES & ACCOMPANYING EVENTS:

Exhibition open: January 28 – March 3, 2023
Opening reception: January 28, 4-6pm
Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm, Saturdays (February 4, 11, 18, 25) 10am-3pm, Closed Sundays

Walk & Talk tours with curator: February 1, 8, 15, and 22 at 6p Click here to book a tour!

Author Program: Groundbreakers: “Black Movie Makers” Children’s Book Series: February 19, 2pm at Ossining Public Library. More info here.