Museum to feature exhibit of Underground Railroad

SHAWNEE – The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art is hosting an interesting, informative temporary exhibit, Grassroots: African Origins of An American Art, Baskets from Africa and South Carolina, that explores how the art of the coiled basket originated in Africa, was brought to America by African slaves, and how this art form has evolved through its journey in time. In conjunction with the exhibit, the Mabee-Gerrer is offering a lively educational component for children.
 Underground Railroad: A Journey to Freedom explores the dynamics of slavery in America and throughout the world. The multi-media design team at The Butterfly Connection has created a show exploring this important subject using music, including African and African-American songs of the period such as “Follow the Drinking Gourd,” dance, theatre, puppetry, stilt-walking, film and audience participation.
Geared toward K-sixth-grade students, the program runs 45 minutes and covers all required learning for American history involving slavery.
During the show, more than 20 characters are brought to life by three performers from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Sheran Keyton Goodspeed, Elliott Gilbert II and Adam Justin Dietrich. Loaded with audience participation and interactive components, Underground Railroad: A Journey to Freedom is a lesson in history, humanity and fun.
“I have experienced this performance in the past and was very impressed with the content of the show and with the talent exhibited by all three performers,” says Donna Merkt, MGMoA Curator of Education. “You do experience the performance-— it isn’t something that you simply watch. Children especially are encouraged to participate, pretending at points in the tale that they are runaway slaves.”
Following the performance, the three performers are offering a short acting workshop for children.
“The workshop is an extremely enjoyable education experience. Participants will have a great time learning acting and singing techniques while having the opportunity to interact with these three amazing performers. Adults have a great time watching the kids ham it up!” said Merkt. “I am so pleased that we, with the help of Allied Arts, are able to bring this performance to Shawnee.
The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art is hosting the Butterfly Connection in a performance of the Underground Railroad: A Journey to Freedom at 1 p.m. today. The workshop will follow the 45-minute performance. Admission is free; however, those wishing to see the performance and/or participate in the workshop are encouraged to reserved seats by calling the museum at 878-5300.
The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art is on the campus of St. Gregory’s University, 1900 W. MacArthur in Shawnee. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Regular admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors age 65 or older, $3 for students and children ages 6 to 17, and free for children age 5 and younger. For accommodations on the basis of disability or more information, call the museum at 878-5300.
Grass Roots: African Origins of an American Art was organized by the Museum for African Art in New York City, and co-curated by Chief Curator Enid Schildkrout, Museum for African Art, and Curator and Historian Dale Rosengarten, College of Charleston. The exhibition has been made possible by NEH on the Road, a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities and is toured by Mid-America Arts Alliance.