History Fort Lauderdale to Host “Black History, Black Future” Student Exhibition

The organization will celebrate Black History Month and the creativity of Dillard Center for the Arts’ students in “Black History, Black Future" from February 2 to 28

Only Skin Deep, Tayshaun Small

History Fort Lauderdale will celebrate Black History Month and spotlight the creativity and contributions of Broward County’s African American community in “Black History, Black Future,” a fine art exhibition featuring works by the Dillard Center for the Arts’ Advanced Placement students, from February 2 to 28. The exhibit, curated by instructor Celestin Joseph, represents a contemporary view of Black History from the perspective of students at the very school that was instrumental in overturning segregation laws in the City of Fort Lauderdale 50 years ago. The exhibit will be open to the public at the New River Inn building of History Fort Lauderdale and will be accessible as a digital experience on History Fort Lauderdale’s YouTube channel. All of the students’ artwork will be available for purchase.

“History Fort Lauderdale is grateful to Dillard Center for the Arts’ Celestin Joseph and his efforts to enrich and enlighten our community through art and instruction,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale. “We’re looking forward to this year’s Black History Month installation of student creativity, perspectives and interpretations of how African American history and culture shapes our lives. We’re pleased to be able to offer this experience both in-person and online, digitally.”

The Life You’re Taught, Mikayle Morrison

“Black History, Black Future” will feature a variety of styles and mediums reflecting African American culture, arts and entertainment, and the ongoing struggle for equality. Featured pieces in the exhibition include works by Tayshaun Small and Mikayle Morrison, both currently AP studio art students mentored by Joseph, himself a Dillard alumnus.

Joseph received his master’s in fine arts in painting from the University of Pennsylvania. He received a bachelor’s in fine arts, cum laude, from the University of Hartford as a painting major, with an art history minor, and concentrations in printmaking and graphic design studies. Joseph also received a prestigious Yale/Norfolk Art and Music Scholarship to further his studies. Currently, he is teaching Advanced Placement studio art classes at his alma mater Dillard Center for the Arts where he has been strengthening the visual arts program since 1999.

History Fort Lauderdale is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with daily docent guided tours at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Group walking tours are available upon request. Admission is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors and $7 for students (through age 22 with a valid student ID). Admission is free for members, military, and children ages six and under. Tickets are available online at HistoryFortLauderdaleTickets.

In compliance with local and state health guidelines, visitors to History Fort Lauderdale will be required to wear a mask, have a digital temperature reading and practice safe social distancing of six feet apart. Hand sanitizer will be available at the front desk admission point and all surfaces will be thoroughly cleaned multiple times a day, per CDC guidelines. Additionally, guests will be asked to sign-in, daily, for contact tracing.

For more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call (954) 463-4431 or visit us online at historyfortlauderdale.org. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ftlhistory and on Instagram @ftlhistory and subscribe to us on YouTube at youtube.com/user/FTLhistory.

Facebook Comments