Exhibits
Overview
Since it's opening in 1985 the Harrison Museum of African American Culture has offered historical and art exhibitions in it's galleries and in the Hazel B. Thompson Exhibition Room.
Thanks to the generosity of several donors, the Harrison Museum owns an impressive collection of African masks, bronze sculptures, paintings, furniture, jewelry and textiles from Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique, Liberia, Rwanda, Zaire and South Africa. Also donated is the museum's permanent local collection, which has grown from a few objects to several thousand. This collection consists of medical, educational, and political memorabilia, as well as visual art and is housed in the museum's Archival Annex.
Schools and other organizations should contact our office at (540)345-4818 about the availability of the African Traveling Trunk and other exhibits or displays.
Current Exhibits
Cannaday's V.I.A.L. Hall of Fame, Sports Legends: Heroes, Heritage, Honors, and Hope
An exhibit recognizing individuals who played in the Virginia Interscholastic Athletic League, an organization created in 1928 to serve all African American high shcool sports teams during the era of segregation until 1969. Opening reception on Saturday, May 3, 2008 - 1:00 p.m. (featuring gospel music by the Moyers Brothers).
Past Exhibits
6th Annual “Bay” Hale Photography Exhibit Opens
February 1, 2008
The Harrison Museum of African American Culture kicks off Black History Month with an exhibit held in honor of the late Sonny “Bay” Hale, well-known photographer in Roanoke for many years. Mr. Hale took pictures for the schools, organizations, and documented many events especially in the black community. The exhibit features local photographers and begins Friday, February 1, 2008 with an Opening Reception from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Bill Hoffman Trio will provide music and refreshments will be served. The public is invited.
The Harrison Museum is located on the ground floor of the historic Harrison School, 523 Harrison Avenue, NW, Roanoke, Virginia. Museum hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and until 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
"A Generational Journey" - An Exhibit by local artists
“WAR: The Beginning” – An Exhibit by Artist Robert Henry Graham
This exhibit of abstract art opened on June 20th and will extend through September 1, 2007. The artist, also a Professor of Art and Art History at VA Tech in Blacksburg, VA, has been working on this project which at its completion will consist of at least sixty paintings. Mr. Graham states that he is “using color, texture, and form to create emotionally charged images conveying the pain, suffering, and despair that the innocent experience in events and terrors of War.”
A “Meet the Artist” Reception will be held at the museum on Sunday, July 29, 2007 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. The public is invited.
For more information, please click here (PDF document)
Achievers Exhibit
This exhibit has been extended through May 31, 2007.From Slavery To Freedom Exhibit
This exhibit will be available for public viewing through January 31, 2008 and features items from the museum's Archives and Permanent Collection.
African Americans of Achievement in the Roanoke Valley
The Harrison Museum of African American Culture is pleased to announce a new exhibit in its main gallery: “African Americans of Achievement in the Roanoke Valley” beginning Sunday, January 21, 2007 with an Opening Reception on Sunday, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Local persons are recognized in the exhibit for their various accomplishments. The public is invited.
The museum will also kick off Black History Month in February with “Thursdays at Harrison”, Live Jazz every Thursday during February and March 2007 from 5:30pm to 8:00 pm. Local jazz artists will perform, and a donation of $5.00 will be accepted at the door. A cash bar with beer and wine will also be available.
A “Black History” exhibit will be on display from the museum’s permanent collection in the Hazel B. Thompson Gallery.
Both exhibits will run through April 15, 2007.
“Lisa Beane – A Retrospective”
Exhibit featuring the works of artist Lisa Beane, recognized by /The International Review
of African American Art /in 2005 as one of the "rising generation" of younger artists to watch.. Lisa's work has been exhibited and collected nationally.
This exhibit was on display from October 15 – December 23, 2006.
Language of the Cloth-Works By Christine Logan Powell
Featuring works of art created from African fabrics, particularly mud cloth from West Africa, and acrylics.
The Language of the Cloth-Works exhibit ended on the week of October 8th, 2006.
Dr. John Henry Pinkard – African American Legend of the Roanoke Valley
An exhibit honoring the life and career of Dr. Pinkard; businessmen, developer of “Pinkard’s Court”, well known for his herbal remedies such as “Pinkard’s Great Liniment”.
The Pinkard exhibit ended December 23, 2006
Henry Street Live Exhibit
FIRST STREET, THE YARD, HENRY STREET was the heart of the African American community of the Roanoke Valley from early nineteen hundreds, until urban renewal. It was where people shopped, dined, socialized, sought medical attention, legal advice, and cavorted with their peers. Henry Street was about one eighth of a mile, from the Martin Luther King Bridge, to Gilmer Avenue. This exhibit included the names of over 200 businesses found on Henry Street from 1915 until it no longer existed. Also, for those visitors not familiar with Oscar Micheaux, the film maker, we displayed his first silient film, Within Our Gates, 1919.
The Fourth Annual Bay Hale Photography Exhibit
Featuring the Photography of Local Photographers February 1 thru April 30, 2006.
The Hunton Life Saving Crew Exhibit
The Hunton Life Saving Crew, was organized by Mr. Alexander A. Terrell on December 21, 1941, two weeks after the attack of Pearl Harbor. Mr. Terell's decision to start this organization was based on the inevitable fact that much had to be done in this time of war and destruction.
The purpose of the Hunton Life Saving Crew, was to prevent accidents, teach safety, give first-aid classes and training to the general public and to train schools and factories and others in the use of first aid equipment and to save lives.
The Hunton Life Saving Crew was the only African-American Life Saving Crew in the world at the time of its inception.