Gallery Walk of the “Reveal the Beauty" Exhibition

Let's dive into the vibrant world of the Harlem Renaissance through literature and art with curators Dr. Shawn Christian and Chris Norwood.

Gallery Walk of "Reveal the Beauty: The Literature and Art of the Harlem Renaissance" at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center!

Join us for an immersive experience celebrating the rich history and culture of the Harlem Renaissance. Explore the vibrant artwork and influential literature that emerged during this iconic period in American history and engage with curators Dr. Shawn Christian and Chris Norwood. Come and be inspired by their contributions to art and literature at the 2025 Africana Arts + Humanities Festival!

Reveal the Beauty emphasizes not only renowned artists and writers like Lois Mailou Jones, Augusta Savage, Aaron Douglas, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and James Weldon Johnson, whose works captured themes of resilience and cultural pride, but also the lesser-known artists and activists who collectively shaped this vibrant cultural landscape. Alain Locke, the great philosopher and Dean of the Harlem Renaissance, believed that creative expression was a form of liberation and could help Black people develop their ethos. He thought that art could lead the way to a cultural and social revolution in America. In his own words, "Art must discover and reveal the beauty which prejudice and caricature have overlaid."
 
By highlighting the significant contributions of Dorothy Porter Wesley, an influential librarian and scholar, we honor her efforts to preserve and promote African American literature and culture during this period and after. Her collection, generously gifted to Broward County's African American Research Library and Cultural Center by her daughter, Constance Porter Uzelac, is a vital repository of 19th—and 20th-century Black authors that enriches our understanding of this impactful movement. 
 
Reveal the Beauty: The Literature and Art of the Harlem Renaissance is organized by the African American Research Library and Research Center and is curated by Christopher Norwood, founder of Hampton Art Lovers, in consultation with Shawn Christian, professor of English at Florida International University, and AARLC staff. 

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