Paul Collins: The Traveling Artist and Gems from The Wright Museum
Detroit, MI | December 2, 2024 The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (The Wright) is pleased to announce the opening of two new exhibitions: Paul Collins: The Traveling Artist and Gems from The Wright Museum, both opening on December 12th, and on view through March 2nd and March 9th, 2025 respectively. These exhibitions promise to provide enriching and inspiring experiences for all visitors. The combination of Paul Collins' dynamic artwork and the museum's treasured collection will surely captivate and educate visitors. It's a fantastic opportunity to explore diverse narratives and celebrate African American history and culture.
Paul Collins: The Traveling Artist
Chase Gallery
December 12, 2024 - March 2, 2025
Michigan native Paul Collins is an exceptional figurative artist that spent his career learning about and drawing people. As a practice and process, Collins traveled the world, learned about the culture, and painted local people he encountered every day. His portraiture showcases the strength, dignity, and beauty of the people he met around the world.
This exhibition, The Traveling Artist, features Paul Collins' work spanning many decades and continents. He believed his process of understanding others and then drawing them helped him to understand himself. As you visit this show, we hope you will reflect on how learning about new people and traveling to places can help you empathize with others and shape your identity.
"We are very excited to display Paul Collins' work at the museum and we look forward to visitors experiencing this beautiful art," said Neil A. Barclay, President & CEO of the Charles Wright Museum. Paul Collins is an award-winning visual artist. His work focuses on equal rights, everyday heroes, world cultures and Mother Earth.
Gems from The Wright Museum
AT&T Gallery
December 12, 2024 - March 9, 2025
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History collects objects, papers, and artworks to preserve the history of Africans and African Americans. Dr. Wright's original mission was to collect hoping to correct "the distortions and filling in the deletions of the recorded Black experience." Today, we continue to collect to preserve Black identities, legacies, and stories.
This exhibition, Gems from the Wright Museum, highlights the cherished heirlooms, family traditions, and stories passed down by Black Detroiters. Divided into 6 sections, our collection spans multiple countries and decades, preserves American history, documents important people and places, and captures everyday life.
"We look forward to visitors experiencing these magnificent collections and are excited to bring you these treasures from our archives and galleries," said Neil A. Barclay. "These hidden gems offer unique insights and experiences that go beyond our core exhibits."
Learn more about the exhibition at thewright.org.
Charles Howard Wright, M.D. (1918-2002) was a great physician, an intellectual of incredible insight, and a man of solemn dedication to his community. In 1965, he led the establishment of the International Afro-American Museum, later named in his honor as the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Now we celebrate our 60th anniversary. This exhibition, presented as a first-person narrative by Dr. Wright, uses words, images, documents and objects to portray his extraordinary life and expansive legacy.
About the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History was founded in 1965 and is in the heart of Midtown Detroit’s Cultural Center. The Wright Museum’s mission is to open minds and change lives through the exploration and celebration of African American history and culture. And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American History and Culture — the museum’s 22,000 square foot, immersive core exhibit — is one of the largest, single exhibitions surveying the history of African Americans. The Wright Museum houses over 35,000 artifacts and archival materials and offers more than 300 public programs and events annually.
###
Media Contacts:
Char Yates
Director of Media Relations
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
cyates@thewright.org
313.494-5839
Kelly Miner
Marketing & Communications Manager
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
kminer@thewright.org
313.494.5865