The William Grant Still Arts Center Presents
37th Annual Black Doll Show: Jubilee, Celebrations in Color
December 9, 2017-February 17, 2018
Opening Reception: December 9, 3:00-6:00pm
Curated by Stephanie J. Moore
Los Angeles (November 29, 2017) – For its 37th Annual Black Doll Show the William Grant Still Arts Center will be focusing on gatherings, coming together and events to remember through doll artistry and displays. Showcasing Black life as a celebration of events that are monumental and small, ordinary, and extraordinary, events that depict Black life in all its facets, as well as to explore “cultural image” as depicted through the beauty and diversity of dolls. “Jubilee, Celebrations in Color”, further seeks to reshape the dialogue on Black life and identity as portrayed in mainstream American media and in dominant narratives. The exhibition creates a counter narrative through highlighting how the Black community sees itself as portrayed in the traditional rites of passage and cultural events. The exhibition includes hand painted murals by Patrick Johnson and AISEBOURNE.
Learn and practice doll making at three Saturday doll making workshops on December 16, January 6, and February 3 from 2-4pm. The exhibition will also offer a curatorial walk through with curator Stephanie Moore
About the Black Doll Show:
The Black Doll Show at The William Grant Still Arts Center was started in 1980 by the Friends of William Grant Still Arts Center, with artist Cecil Fergerson as its first curator. Inspired by the “Black Doll Test” conducted in the 1940s by pioneering psychologists Mamie and Kenneth Clark that concluded that many African-American children preferred playing with white dolls over black dolls, The Black Doll Show at the Center is the longest-running display of black dolls in Los Angeles. Collectors and doll artists return time and time again to offer dolls from their collections that fit with the year’s theme. At its root, it is a time for community to come together to celebrate the collections and contributions each individual has made to doll making and collecting over the years.
About the Guest Curator:
Stephanie Moore, is a born and raised “ L.A. Girl” who has been a teacher for over 33 years! She is an avid doll collector, with a collection of her own which is soon to reach the 900+ range. She happily and unashamedly admits that “Dolling” is a very important part of who she is. She hopes to spread her love of dolls to everyone around her. Stephanie is a member of Crescent Bay Doll Fanciers, President of the Tri-County Doll Council and a member of the United Federation of Doll Clubs. She lives and breathes dolls,; teaching doll classes, sponsoring junior collector events, hosting dolly excursions, doll shows, and putting on doll exhibitions throughout southern California.
PROGRAM EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Exhibition Dates: December 9, 2017-February 17, 2018
Opening Reception: Saturday, December 9, 3-6pm
Drum procession leading into the galleries, followed by live music By Marcus Miller Freedom Jazz Ensemble
Dollmaking Workshops: Saturdays, 2-4 p.m.
December 16, January 6, February 3 – All Ages Workshops, Details to be announced
*materials fee may apply for some workshops.
Curatorial Walk Through: January 20, 2018 2 p.m.
Center Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, Noon-5:00 p.m.
Cost of Admission: Free
Stephanie Moore, is a born and raised “ L.A. Girl” who has been a teacher for over 33 years! She is an avid doll collector, with a collection of her own which is soon to reach the 900+ range. She happily and unashamedly admits that “Dolling” is a very important part of who she is. She hopes to spread her love of dolls to everyone around her. Stephanie is a member of Crescent Bay Doll Fanciers, President of the Tri-County Doll Council and a member of the United Federation of Doll Clubs. She lives and breathes dolls,; teaching doll classes, sponsoring junior collector events, hosting dolly excursions, doll shows, and putting on doll exhibitions throughout southern California.
The William Grant Still Arts Center 