Banneker-Douglass Museum Premiers The Black Vote Mural Project

Governor Larry Hogan, Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture Recognize Historic Movements for Right to Vote

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Banneker–Douglass Museum, a unit of the Maryland Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, hosted a reception to launch The Black Vote Mural Project exhibit today. This exhibit recognizes historic movements for the right to vote by exploring the intersection of public art, Black voices, and civil rights with sixteen murals that transform the interior galleries of the museum. Painted by regional artists, these murals interpret the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) 2020 theme: African Americans and the Vote.

“Maryland is proud to recognize African American heroes and icons who fought for equality, justice, and the right to vote,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “I appreciate the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture and Banneker–Douglass Museum for working tirelessly to keep these important legacies alive, and to promote and protect African American history and culture in Maryland.”

The goal of The Black Vote Mural Project is to provide our visitors with a dynamic experience that demonstrates artistic excellence, cultural expression, and historical preservation. Through this exhibit and our public programs, we will highlight important milestones in the year 2020 – the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment (1920) which was the culmination of the women’s suffrage movement and is honored by the Year of the Woman proclaimed by Governor Hogan; and the sesquicentennial of the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) which gave Black men the right to vote after the Civil War. This project will examine these stories, celebrate memories, preserve history, and illuminate cultural experiences that demonstrate we are stronger together.

“As an election year, it is critical that we consider the power of African American voices,” said Chanel Compton, Executive Director of the Banneker–Douglass Museum. “Our impact on the political process can be seen through these murals which educate, inspire, and move us toward a stronger future by examining our past.”

Featured Artists: Steuart Hill Academic Academy, Ryan Allen, Bowie State University (Public Arts Class), Nikki Brooks, Jay Coleman, Lloyd Foster, Olivia Gittens, Jabari Jefferson, Gina Lewis, Megan Lewis, Janie McGee, Gretta McGill, Future History Now, Latoya D. Peoples, Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell, James Terrell, and Ernest Shaw.

This exhibit and program series is made possible by the support of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, the Banneker–Douglass Museum Foundation, Friends of the Banneker–Douglass Museum, Wells Fargo, Maryland Arts & Humanities Council,  Prince George’s Arts & Humanities Council, Arts County of Anne Arundel County, Four Rivers Heritage Area, Sonja Swygert Foundation, Anne Arundel County Historical Trust, Kwesi Mfume, Herbert Frisby, and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Public Programs: The Banneker–Douglass Museum will host monthly programs for people of all ages and backgrounds such as lectures, youth conferences, and celebrations. Voter registration will be featured at signature events. For more information on the program series, visit https://bdmuseum.maryland.gov/events.

The Black Vote Mural Project is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am – 4 pm, from February 15, 2020 until December 28, 2020.

Sixteen murals displayed to explore the intersection of public art, Black voices, and civil rights.

Artworks commemorate the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment which was the culmination of the women’s suffrage movement. Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed 2020 as the Year of the Woman in honor of this historic milestone and women heroes from Maryland.

Click the opening video below.