National Museum of African American History and Culture

My family and I were able to snag tickets to visit the new Smithsonian for October 31. We were all so excited, not only to see the museum but to find all of my silhouettes throughout the museum.  We had our cute but warm clothes, our comfortable shoes, phones were charged, extra money for lunch and most importantly the tickets to get in!

The museum is very beautiful on the outside and inside! I love the outside structure because it reminds me of a paper cut out. There are several levels and we didn't get to see everything. *Tip the museum is in chronological order for the most part so start at the bottom. Take the elevator down, it will be crowded and this is where most of the traffic is located.

The bottom level covers the start of slavery and this is where my silhouettes can be found. I created two silhouettes, a male and a female for the museum so they could have a face to go with important stories that did not photo. I was so honored to see the silhouettes and to read the interesting stories that went along with them. My family tried our best to take photos of each one!

My third silhouette is located near the huge bale of cotton Labeled King Cotton. Back in the day cotton was king! The silhouette I created shows the slave bent over with the sack on their back and it shows the different weights of cotton in the bag. This particular exhibit made me tear up because of the brutalities that slaves had to endure if they didn't meet the daily cotton quotas.

The museum knew the information would be hard to process so there is a contemplation room with a beautiful but loud water fall in the upper section of the museum.

I enjoyed the museum and look forward to visiting again next year- we snag some more tickets! here are some wonderful but random photos! :) 

This is my next inspiration for a mens paper cut collection.

Opening Dedication for the National Museum of African American History and Culture - my thoughts

Saturday I attended the opening dedication for the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC. I was able to snag tickets to the museum for October 30 2016. I was told that as a contractor I am able to see the museum during the workday but by myself. Since I can't attend during the day and I want to experience the museum with my family I am going to wait.

For the opening, security was tight. There were many road blocks so the best route was by metro and by foot, which I took.

Advertisement from DC Metro Train

During the morning program there were several important people that spoke, which I missed, but heard their speeches were very inspiring and filled with a sense of pride. 

Here is a link to John Lewis's powerful speech http://on-ajc.com/2dpKSrG

Here you can hear President Obama's  inspiring speech: http://slate.me/2czDZlT

 I did have a misty eyed moment because my brother and Aunt died earlier this year and they would have loved to have seen all of the people, to know that I designed art for the museum, to be apart of something bigger than they and to experience history- again (our first black president) in DC!

 In different locations near the Washington Monument grounds there were stages set up for performers, singers, drummers and for storytellers. My husband and I stayed at the Freedom Sounds stage to see the musical performers. 

We heard the Liberty Brass Bands, who I filmed using Facebook live: you can see here: http://bit.ly/2dpLrl6  and Sweet Honey Rock, see here: http://bit.ly/2cAV9Va

-who I have never heard of but absolutely love now!

Target had a social media stage where you could take a photo and add a story of what the museum means to you, a 360 video that could be uploaded to any social media site and a place to write and send postcards about your experience. There were also vendors selling delicious soul food, barbecue and Caribbean food. I got the fried catfish and hushpuppies and let me tell you it was sooo good!

I am very excited about the museum.  I am excited to see the artifacts and to learn about people and events that I might not know of. I love that the museum will expose us to the truths that weren't taught in school, to allow us to cry because of the pain that comes with the history and will allow us to learn and to move forward. I am exciting that I am apart of it not only because I am African American or black American but because I helped create art that will forever have a place in the museum.

This history is my history, your history and America's history.  It needs to be told, understood and felt.

If you went, what where your favorite parts of the museum?

Peace,

Janelle