McNay member Christine Saalbach observes artist Nick Cave’s “Soundsuit” at the Something to Say: The Mcnay Presents 100 years of African-American Art exhibit Feb. 7. The art will be viewable by the public Feb. 8-May 6. Free general admission with school ID for Alamo Colleges students, faculty and staff. Lorena Torres Romero
Alamo Colleges students get free admission but must buy tickets to two exhibits.
Jeff Riley
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
“Something to Say: 100 Years of African American Art” was unveiled Feb. 7 at the McNay Art Museum with a members-only viewing.
The exhibit is one of four exhibits of African-American art the museum will present through May 6.
“Something to Say” opened to the public Feb. 8 and serves as the first major overview of modern and contemporary art presented by the McNay, according to a pamphlet.
Art collectors Harmon and Harriet Kelley contributed the majority of the artwork from their personal collection.
McNay member Jon Hinojosa observes art from Icons, a section displaying multiple cultural symbols and anecdotes of significant persons in the history of African-Americans Feb. 7 at the McNay. Others sections displayed were Interactions, Reflections, Vistas, and Essentials. Lorena Torres Romero
Other loans are from the collections of Guillermo Nicolas and Jim Foster, John and Freda Facey, and the McNay’s own collection.
Artists featured in the exhibit include Charles Alston, Elizabeth Catlett, Norman Lewis and Kehinde Wiley.
“Something to Say” coincides with three other exhibits featuring art of African-Americans over the last 100 years. Exhibits “30 Americans: Rubell Family Collection” and “Haiti’s Revolution in Art: Jacob Lawrence’s Toussaint L’Ouverture Series” also opened Feb 8.
“4 Texans: The Next Chapter” is set to open March 1.
“We want people to know that there is great art out there made by African-Americans,” Harmon Kelley said. “It’s wonderful to have our collection with the McNay because they have such a wide audience and are very credible.”
McNay Director Richard Aste also shared his thoughts on the significance of the exhibit. “The McNay is in the business of truth and beauty, and with this exhibit, we’re telling the true history of modern and contemporary art,” he said. “African-American art and artists have always been there, but museums neglected to tell their stories.”
Alamo College students with a student ID receive free general admission to the McNay but will be charged a $10 special exhibition fee for “Something to Say” and “30 Americans.”
The McNay, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon–5 p.m. Sunday.
For information, call 210-824-536.
Gracie Poe, president of San Antonio Ethnic Art Society, is photographed by McNay member Rachel Ridder on the “Power Pose” chair at the Something to Say: The McNay Presents 100 Years of African American Art Feb. 7. Lorena Torres Romero
1 Comment
Deidre Turner
2/26/2018
dturner31@student.alamo.edu
McNay presents voices of African-Americans BY THE RANGER ON FEBRUARY 19, 2018
To the Editor,
I enjoyed reading this article on the 100 years of African-American Art exhibit at the McNay Art Museum. I loved seeing how the McNay is using its platform to give a voice to African American artist. It is not often that I get to see black art showcased so I appreciate the McNay Art Museum for creating this opportunity for not only me but also the many African Americans who will be visiting this exhibit. We get to see a part of us represented which makes us feel proud.