Opening Reception: "Representatives: Picturing A New Spirit of Excellence" @ Sidwell Friends School
Sat, Oct 19
|Washington
Lead Curator Khaleelah I. L. Harris and Assistant Curator Frankie Brown present 37 hand gravure print Carl Van Vechten prints to present a new visual narrative for excellence for friends and family of Sidwell Friends School!
Time & Location
Oct 19, 2024, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Washington, 3825 Wisconsin Ave, Washington, DC 20016, USA
About the event
Exhibition summary: In 1983, The Eakins Press Foundation published “O’ Write My Name’ American Portraits - Harlem Heroes,” an educational exhibition project consisting of one hundred sets of fifty Carl Van Vechten portraits depicting African American artists from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. Created through the hand gravure printmaking process, which utilizes ink instead of chemicals, each portrait is printed on 18” x 24” German etching paper and accompanied by text cards capturing the essence of the figure’s spirit and contribution to society. Each set is purposed with a special task:
“The program will be distributed in public school and private library systems in metropolitan areas, Afro-American study centers in colleges and universities, public museums, urban community and neighborhood centers, corporate and public spaces, and other available means.”
In 2022, a set was gifted to Sidwell Friends School for its next life. “Representatives: Picturing A New Spirit of Excellence,” is being placed in conversation with the spirit of Sidwell Friends School and the vision of its founder, Thomas W. Sidwell. What is “excellence”? What does it actually look like to live with such purpose, authenticity, and commitment that our lives exemplify the grandness and beauty of the human spirit? From the literary imagination of a cultural preservationist whose body was placed in an unmarked grave, to the courage of an athlete-thespian whose political advocacy and social commitments ended his world renowned career. This carefully curated exhibit of 37 portraits and 4 archival materials from the Sidwell Friends School Archive aims to help viewers picture a new spirit of excellence and construct a new narrative.
In order to achieve the intended spiritual awakening, this exhibit presents a new visual language that considers the underrepresented, underappreciated, and often overlooked, people, practices, and circumstances found within our society, to determine a new pathway for achieving our greatest human potential. The images, words, and worlds presented in this exhibit are products of the lives and spirits of Representatives– individuals determined worthy of transcending time and space to educate and inspire total reawakenings.