Juneteenth at the MFA
Jun 7th 2023
June 19, 2023 marks the third year that Juneteenth is officially a federal holiday. However, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally observed commemoration of the ending of slavery in the US. The Museum of Fine Arts has hosted numerous Juneteenth celebrations in years prior and this year is no different! Admission to the MFA—including access to "Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence"—is free for all Massachusetts residents on June 19 in honor of Juneteenth.
Between 10 am and 5 pm, enjoy performances, participate in art-making activities, and see “Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina,” a new exhibition honoring the work and legacy of the enslaved men, women and children who crafted stoneware storage vessels in Old Edgefield for roughly 50 years before emancipation.
One performance in particular is a response to our exhibition “Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina.” Golden's "REPRISE" is inspired by the work of enslaved potters and poets, conversations with family in Maryland and Virginia, and their own photographic self-portraits. Through the act of naming oneself and one’s people, this poetic performance offers a way forward against anti-Black allegiance in the United States.
Celebrate this holiday by joining us in person or by checking out our offerings online to learn more about Juneteenth and the Black Potters of Old Edgefield.
1.Hear Me Now Exhibition Catalogue
If you can’t see the exhibition in person, or want to read more about the culmination of “Hear Me Now,” pick up a copy of our exhibition catalogue. Essays on the production, collection, dispersal, and reception of stoneware from Edgefield offer a critical look at what it means to collect, exhibit, and interpret objects made by enslaved artisans. Several featured contemporary works inspired by or related to Edgefield stoneware attest to the cultural and historical significance of this body of work, and an interview with acclaimed contemporary artist Simone Leigh illuminates its continued relevance.
2.Dave the Potter Children’s Book
Want to introduce kids to the importance of the Juneteenth holiday? The story of Dave the Potter, an artist prominently featured in the Hear Me Now exhibition, is the perfect way to get kids involved in the history. The life of an astonishingly prolific and skilled potter who lived and died a slave in 19th-century South Carolina is related in simple, powerful sentences that outline the making of a pot. An inspiring story, perfectly presented and sure to prompt classroom discussion and projects.
Feeling inspired by the work in the exhibition and performances on Juneteenth? Try your hand at expressing your own story with this Moleskine sketchbook that will help you get started. This sketchbook is the perfect portable canvas for drawing or sketching indoors or on the go. The Moleskine Sketchbook has premium sketch-grade paper that supports a selection of artistic media. It has a hard cover and lies flat at 180° so it is the perfect vessel for you to let your creative side run free!
4.Blackwing Natural Pencil Set
To go along with the sketchbook, try our Blackwing natural pencil set. The Blackwing Natural features an exposed incense-cedar barrel with a subtle clear matte finish and extra-firm graphite. Every Blackwing Natural features a gold imprint, grey eraser and the iconic square Blackwing ferrule. Blackwing Natural pencils come in packs of 12. These natural colors are present all throughout the “Hear Me Now” exhibition. Create your own interpretation of the work with this pencil set.
Juneteenth is an immensely important national holiday and the MFA is proud to spotlight local artists and the history of the holiday.