On Saturday, April 19th, I had the opportunity to experience the opening exhibition of In the Hands of African American Collectors: The Personal Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey at the Norton Museum in West Palm Beach. The opening day was declared FAMU Day and as an alum, it was well worth the drive from Miami on what was already a very busy Saturday for me.
I don't write this often, but I strongly encourage you to go to the Norton and see this exhibit. If you think it's an art collection because it's at an art museum; you're sadly mistaken. The Kinseys' collection is truly a collection of historical treasures.
Paintings and sculptures from artists you may or may not know of comprise the almost 100 pieces in the collection. However, the letters from historical icons such as Malcolm X and Zora Neale Hurston and Paul Robeson movie poster give the event flavor that transcends a typical art museum exhibit and appeals to all ages.
Personally, the pieces on slavery were particularly difficult to see. The rock from the Island of Goree, the last free soil in Senegal on which many Africans stood; the schedule of inventory of slaves; and letters and documents selling African slaves.
Since Bernard Kinsey is a West Palm Beach native and past president of the FAMU National Alumni Association, it was particularly exciting to have the FAMU Marching 100 featured as part of the opening ceremonies. FAMU President Dr. James Ammons addressed the record-breaking crowd at the Norton. Bernard Kinsey spoke of the connections already made with the West Palm Beach public school system and the district's commitment to expose more than 9,000 students to the collection.
The Kinsey Collection will be on display until July 20 but do not wait to see it. Bring family, friends and especially young people to tour the collection.
The Florida A&M University Marching 100 at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach
The Kinsey Treasures at the California African-American Museum in Los Angeles
In the Hands of African American Collectors: The Personal Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey. A gathering of visual art by noted African-American artists, including Elizabeth Catlett, Sam Gilliam and William H. Johnson, and more than 90 artifacts by history makers, including Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X. Runs through July 20. Admission is $8, ages 13-21 $3 and ages younger than 13 free. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach. norton.org or 561-832-5196.
If You Go:
Take I-95 north or south and exit Okeechobee Boulevard. Go East on Okeechobee Blvd to South Dixie Highway, turn right and travel 1/2 mile.
The Museum is located on the left. Free parking is available in front of the museum and in the West Parking Lot.
Norton Museum of Art
1451 S. Olive Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 832 - 5196
Fax: (561) 659 - 4689
museum@norton.org
Related Links:
I saw the article on the Kinsey's and I would like to share some of my work with them on Black History. I would like to forward a 200+ page document on Black History to them but I have no way of contacting them. Will you please forward my e-mail address to them to contact me so that I can forward my info to them?
Thank you
Joseph Campbell
113 Prado St
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
starblazers@msn.com
Posted by: Joe Campbell | Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 08:14 AM