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January 31, 2025

Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum hosts “Black Art in the Absence of Light” film screening

Title card reading Black Art in the Absence of Light

The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University is pleased to host a film screening of “Black Art in the Absence of Light” on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1:00 p.m. in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall at SVSU. Following the film screening, guests are invited to delve deeper into the art and stories explored in the film and view the “David C. Driskell & Friends: Creativity, Collaboration, & Friends” exhibition at the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum. There is no charge to attend the screening or to enter the Museum, but registration is requested. 

This powerful film centers on the landmark 1976 exhibition “Two Centuries of Black American Art,” curated by the late artist and scholar David C. Driskell. Featuring over 200 works by 63 artists, the exhibition was a groundbreaking celebration of Black artistry in 19th- and 20th-century America. Its profound influence reshaped the art world, inspiring generations of African American artists to claim their rightful place in the 21st century. 

View the trailer for this film at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okH5n9CZbx0 

The “David C. Driskell & Friends: Creativity, Collaboration, & Friends” exhibition, which runs through Saturday, Feb. 22, is a nationally touring exhibition that features almost 70 works highlighting the artistic legacy of renowned artist, art historian and curator David C. Driskell and the importance of his relationships with fellow artist friends such as Hale Woodruff, James Porter, Elizabeth Catlett, Kara Walker, Keith Morrison, Jacob Lawrence and more.

The public is invited to attend. For guests needing transportation, the Museum is providing free round-trip transportation from SVSU Riverfront, 200 S. Washington Ave. in Saginaw, to the University. Please RSVP for complimentary refreshments and register for bus transportation.

Exhibition Credits: “David C. Driskell & Friends: Creativity, Collaboration & Friendship” is organized by The Driskell Center, University of Maryland and supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and Huntington Bank.

The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum is located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Road, University Center, Michigan. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call (989) 964-7125 or visit the Museum’s website at www.marshallfredericks.org.