Events

Since the era of emancipation, black migration to the Washington, D.C. region has been fueled by the promise of economic opportunities, especially those opportunities afforded by employment with the federal government. For generations of African Americans, careers in the federal civil service have paved the way for professional advancement and economic security, expanding the ranks of the middle black class. However, this path has also been fraught with obstacles born of the nation’s dark history of segregation and racism. This exhibit explores this complicated history, focusing on how Black federal employment has shaped Prince George’s County.

This exhibition is curated by the M-NCPPC Black History Program. For additional information, email blackhistory@pgparks.com or call 240-264-3415.

To RSVP for the opening reception, email blackhistory@pgparks.com.

James Stephen Terrell’s Transcendence: Beyond the Terrestrial Plane weaves line, shape, and pattern into a mesmerizing collage. Figures emerge, surreal and otherworldly. Drawing from the legacy of David Driskell and Romare Bearden, he launches into uncharted territory. His work captivates the eye, demanding time for revelation. The unseen emerges, like light through stained glass windows in Black and Roman Catholic churches. Terrell’s art pulses with the vibrancy and movement of optical art, echoing Bridget Riley and Victor Vasarely.

Maryamm Abdullah, once a child enamored with painting, now finds her passion in ceramics. After a decades-long hiatus, she returned to clay, mastering the art of throwing pots. Seeking surface treatments, she drew inspiration from her love of Spain and the Moorish Aesthetic, with its vibrant patterned tiles and archways. Revisiting middle eastern art through pottery, she developed a unique approach: “Gestured Geometry.” This departure from precision allows her to capture the essence of this exquisite art form. Seemingly impossible freehand geometry thrives in her artwork, granting Ms. Abdullah boundless creative space.

Ta-Nehisi Coates’ lyrical novel “The Water Dancer” weaves tasker Hiram’s inhuman separations, fear, toil, and the supportive African American community on Lockless plantation into a quest for freedom. His mastery of spiritual conduction, work with Harriet Tubman, and determination triumph! Join Dr. Karen Arnold for a deep dive into history.

This is a two-part discussion, happening on Feb. 4 and 11. Please register for both Part 1 and Part 2.