The Huntsville Museum of Art and the Museum’s Black History Month Committee is excited to announce Black History Month programming throughout February. The month-long celebration will include an exhibition featuring talented African American artists and performers, a discussion about To Kill a Mockingbird’s message of social justice and informative posts on social media.

Harlem, Hollywood, Broadway: African American Legends Photographed by Jack Mitchell will be on display throughout February to help celebrate the talents of the African American creative community.

Jack Mitchell, Cicely Tyson, 1995, selenium toned vintage gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 in.

Featuring 36 hand-selected silver gelatin and color photographs of prominent African American artists photographed by Jack Mitchell over a five-decade career, the exhibition highlights the achievements of Alvin Ailey, Toni Morrison, Roberta Flack and more.

 

Archie Tucker is a Museum Trustee and a member of the Museum’s Black History Month Committee. He said celebrating Black History Month is essential to celebrating American History, and that “Harlem, Hollywood, Broadway: African American Legends Photographed by Jack Mitchell” was a great way to recognize talented black artists and performers.

“Black history is deeply woven into the fabric of American history,” said Tucker. “This exhibition will provide the community with amazing snapshots of some of the most talented African American entertainers spanning four decades.”

The Museum will also welcome Mary Badham on February 13, the Academy Award-nominated actress that played Jean Louise “Scout” Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird will be sharing about the film’s message of social justice.

The Museum’s Executive Director, Christopher Madkour, said he looks forward to having Badham share about the book and movie’s message and how it is still impactful today.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” was enormously popular when Harper Lee’s novel was published in 1960. It was translated into some 40 languages and sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, and a million copies are sold annually. It was on the list of required readings in my English Lit class in high school and it still holds up as one of America’s finest pieces of American literature.”

The Museum will also be taking part in informative posts on social media to help promote Black History Month education throughout February.