March 14, 2022

SVSU to host Black History Museum Day

Saginaw Valley State University will hold a Black History Museum Day on Thursday, March 17. The event is presented by SVSU’s Office of Student Multicultural Affairs, School University Partnership Office, Program Board and Valley Nights along with the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum. It was originally scheduled for February but was postponed because of inclement weather.

The Black History 101 Mobile Museum  will be available for exploration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Thompson Student Activities Room in SVSU’s Student Center. This traveling exhibit features more than 10,000 original artifacts of Black memorabilia representing the whole of Black history in the United States. Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, founder of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, will present a lecture to the SVSU community at noon.

At the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum at SVSU, visiting artist Austen Brantley will demonstrate and discuss his sculpting technique from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants can create a piece or artwork to take home. Brantley is a figurative sculptor from Detroit who discovered his talent as a student at Berkley High School in 2011. He began receiving local and statewide recognition in 2013, and his art has been displayed at prominent galleries and venues.

In addition to Brantley’s demonstration, the museum presents “Harold Neal and Detroit African American Artists: 1945 through the Black Arts Movement.” This exhibit celebrates the lasting legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and will be on view at the museum through Wednesday, April 16. This exhibition is made possible with grant support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and refreshments will be available.