Posing Beauty in African American Culture

FREE! Family Funday

Sunday, October 13

10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Explore the museum with our free Family Fundays throughout the year! These special days offer a new experience each time you visit. Music, art-making, and gallery engagements throughout the day are sure to inspire your young creators.

Celebrate the exhibition Posing Beauty in African American Culture and Resilience: New Ceramic Works by Terri Kern with art activities, food and drinks specials in the Café, family tours, and musical guests. 

This is a free event! Registration is not required. Museum admission is free.

Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.

Hank Willis Thomas (born 1976), Posing Beauty, detail, 2009, archival inkjet prints. ©Hank Willis Thomas, Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York

Signature Talk | Posing Beauty

Thursday, October 24

6–7 p.m.

Exhibition and collection galleries open until 6 p.m. | Talk is in Luther Hall, 6–7 p.m. 

Speaker | Deborah Willis, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Photography & Imaging at the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University 

The artists in this exhibition are thoughtful and critical about producing images that have been traditionally excluded or overlooked by the art historical canon. Each of the images discussed represents the importance of implementing a radical approach to depicting the complexity and depth of the Black beauty and Black subjectivity in art and culture globally. Moreover, each artist’s distinct articulation reveals narratives that underwrite social constructs, while imbuing the image with a transformative character, and abstract dimension for other imaginaries to emerge. The photographers and artists that Willis will discuss employ the complexity of a gaze that is active as it questions the past and present.  

Registration is required. Free for Taft members and FotoFocus passholders; $15 for non-members. Event admission includes the opportunity for attendees to view the exhibition before the talk.

GET SIGNATURE TALK TICKETS

Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org. 

Supported by FotoFocus

Sponsored by Pamela and Lennell Myricks, Jr.  

Supported by the Stanley and Frances D. Cohen Lecture Series

Taft at Twilight | Posing Beauty featuring Cincinnati Opera

Friday, October 25

7-10 p.m. 

Galleries Open from 6:30–9:30

Musical Performance Begins at 8:30 p.m.

Mix, mingle, and experience Black beauty, culture, photography, and music with us to celebrate our new special exhibition Posing Beauty in African American Culture! Join us for a FREE evening to explore this new exhibit and get an exclusive sneak preview of Cincinnati Opera’s newly commissioned work with the Black Opera Project, Lalovavi.

Throughout the night you can delight in complimentary light bites, grab a mocktail or cocktail at the cash bar, meet fellow art lovers, and explore multiple mediums with our historic garden as an autumnal backdrop.

This is a free event! Registration is not required. This evening is also a part of FotoFocus Final Fridays. Includes FREE admission to our current special exhibitions Posing Beauty in African American Culture, Resilience: New Ceramic Works by Terri Kern and collection galleries. Become a Young Professional member for extra perks, including one complimentary drink ticket and more! 

Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.

Writing Circle | Posing Beauty in African American Culture

Saturday, October 27

1–3:30 p.m. 

Led by Women Writing for (a) Change, this writing circle is inspired by Posing Beauty. Participants will be guided through the exhibition and engage in a facilitated writing circle in response to the art.   

Bring your favorite writing materials or use the supplies provided. Time will be given for independent writing and reflection on the exhibition. Participants will reassemble for a read around, when everyone is invited (but not obligated) to read part or all of what they wrote during the session. We will conclude with time for crosstalk and feedback.  

Both new and experienced writers are welcome. Recommended for ages 16 and up. We encourage you to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time.  

Registration is required at WomenWriting.org. $25 for Taft members; $35 for non-members. Registration is required at WomenWriting.org. Includes admission to special exhibitions and the museum’s collection galleries. Please note: The Taft cannot process refunds for this program.

GET WRITING CIRCLE TICKETS

Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org. 

Photo credit: Rebecca Shakespeare Armstrong

Workshop | Fashion Illustration with Rebecca Shakespeare Armstrong 

Saturday, November 2

12–2 p.m. 

Join local artist, fashion designer, and owner of RJS Fashion, LLC Rebecca Shakespeare Armstrong for a fashion illustration workshop inspired by Posing Beauty. During this workshop, Armstrong will share her one-of-a-kind creations and help you discover how to express your own fashion sense with stencils, patterns, and watercolors. 

Both new and experienced designers are welcome. Recommended for ages 18 and up. We encourage you to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time. Supplies are included.   

Registration is required. $25 for Taft members, $35 for non-members. Includes admission to the museum's special exhibitions and collection galleries.

GET TICKETS

Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org. 

Tour & Workshop | Posing Beauty with SoL and Cleöcrt

Friday, November 1

1–4 p.m.**

Join writer, artist, and performer SoL in partnership with musician and visual artist Cleöcrt for a special tour of Posing Beauty, followed by a writing workshop reflecting on personal expressions of beauty.  

Both new and experienced writers are welcome. Recommended for ages 18+. We encourage you to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time. Supplies are included.   

Registration is required. $5 for members, $20 for non-members. Includes admission to special exhibitions and the museum’s collection galleries.

Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.

**Please note, this event was originally listed to occur from 5:30–6:30 p.m., and is now from 1–4 p.m.

Jeffrey Henson Scales (born 1954), Young Man in Plaid, New York City, 1992/printed 2010, digital print. Courtesy of the artist

Artist's Take | Tour with Asha White

Friday, November 15

11 a.m.–12 p.m. 

Join artist Asha White for a fashion-forward tour of Posing Beauty. As a creative leader, White has collaborated on several high-profile engagements including the 2020 “Black Lives Matter!” street mural in front of Cincinnati City Hall, designed murals for Elementz Hip Hop, and recently exhibited at the Cincinnati Art Museum, addressing the impact of racism on the mental health of the Black community. During this tour, White will share her unique artistic perspective on the historical and contemporary African American fashion seen in the exhibition. 

Reservations are required. Admission is free for Taft members, guests of members with guest pass, military, and youth (17 and under); $15 for adults; $12 for seniors. Save on tickets when you buy online. Includes admission to special exhibitions and the museum’s collection galleries. 

GET ARTIST'S TAKE TICKETS

Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.

Lauren Kelley (born 1975), Pickin’, detail, 2007, color-coupler print. Courtesy of the artist

Curator Tours | Posing Beauty in African American Culture

Thursday, December 11

11 a.m.–12 p.m. 

Hear from the installing curator of Posing Beauty, Tamera Lenz Muente! During this expert-led tour, discover the process behind mounting an exhibition in both the Fifth Third Gallery, integrating the interpretation and display of the works in the collection galleries, and glean a first-hand account from one of the few people who works hands-on with traveling exhibitions. 

Reservations are required. Admission is free for Taft members, guests of members with guest pass, military, and youth (17 and under); $15 for adults; $12 for seniors. Save on tickets when you buy online. Includes admission to special exhibitions and the museum’s collection galleries. 

GET CURATOR TOUR TICKETS

Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.