This exhibit takes a look into the production, use, and the cultural and historical importance of the textiles on display. While this exhibit focuses on the history, traditions, and cultural context of African textiles; it is imperative to acknowledge that many of these designs have been popularized throughout the African Diaspora, and have influenced the current-day fashion industry on a global scale.

Throughout Africa, cowrie shells carry cultural clout beyond monetary value, functioning as symbols of prestige, adornment for initiation, and used as tools for divination. Their significance and versatility within multiple contexts on the African continent are observable in their prominence in many forms of African Art.

With the beat of a drum, the pluck of a harp string, or the melodic tune of a balafon, African musical instruments have played an important role throughout history as a way to connect with ancestral spirits.

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This exhibit serves as a visual platform to showcase the intricate interweaving of cross-cultural belief systems, beginning with a Yoruba model to shed light on other traditional cultural practices throughout continental Africa. Join us as we explore and consider the deep-rooted connections between the seen and unseen that link ancestors, communities, and cultures.

This exhibit was created to shed light on the functionalities of hair across cultures, this exhibition has been broken down into four main categories to include status, gender, initiation, and adornment. These are to draw focus on the importance and language of hair in an African context. 

The COVID-19 Pandemic has caused a lot of stress, disruptions, and changes in our everyday life. 
And the Children Speak is a virtual exhibit that serves as a platform for our youth to express their feelings on the events of 2020 through a creative outlet.