From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
The NAGB Announces the Return of its Director
By Dionne Benjamin-Smith
Mar 1, 2011 - 8:19:21 AM
Nassau, Bahamas - The
National Art Gallery of The Bahamas announces the return of its
Director, Dr. Erica James, from leave and her future appointment as
Assistant Professor in The History of Art and African American Studies
at Yale University.
The Director of the National Art Gallery
of The Bahamas, Dr. Erica James, returned from a year-long Post Doctoral
Teaching Fellowship in the Department of Art History and Archaeology at
Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri on January 4, 2011.
While at Washington University, Dr. James taught two lecture courses
and two seminars focusing on Caribbean, African And African American
Art. She also presented public lectures as part of Washington
University’s Chancellor Fellow Symposium. Additionally, at The Kemper
Museum of Art, she led a workshop on the state of the field of African
Diaspora Art History and shared her personal and professional life story
to gifted undergraduates at the invitation of the Erwin Scholars
Program. She states:
“I had a wonderful time at Washington
University and fell in love with St Louis. Not only were my colleagues
amazing people and scholars, but the challenge of the classroom allowed
me to hone my teaching and communication skills, mentor engaging
students and reconsider the possibilities of my scholarly practice
within the academy. After seven years at the NAGB, I needed time to
recharge my mind and spirit, see things with new, refreshed eyes, and
what is most important to me, to continue to learn - and the fellowship
allowed me to accomplish that and so much more. The evening spent with
the Erwin Scholars was special to me because it forced me to really
think about my journey, something I really don’t do too often, and how
it is so important in the midst of our blessings to pay it forward.”
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PUBLIC PROGRAMMES
Dr. James and her staff are working to develop a full slate of public
programmes through the summer. “I would like to see some of the
programmes established before I went on leave re-vitalized: The Film
Programme, our Sunday Chamber Music Series in the galleries, our Issues
Forums, the Saturday Workshops, Summer Concerts and the Mural Programme
in particular.
Some highlights include a major discussion
series that will focus on the concept of “Bahamianization” from its
political beginnings to its cultural present and a Junkanoo themed
workshop.
Master Junkanoo artist Mr. Bernard Davis (One
Family) has been on staff at the NAGB for about a year and a half and
the Gallery is working with him to develop an expansive workshop that
will be open to the wider public. The workshop will focus on various
components of Junkanoo production from building costumes and the, now
perhaps old-fashioned, fringing technique to choreography and drumming.
While this is not new in the context of The Bahamas, the goal is to
make all of these events as national as possible. While major events
will occur at the Gallery, the NAGB is willing to work with community
groups and partners who may want these programmes, especially the films,
murals and workshops shown or ran in their communities.
NAD
In addition to this, the NAGB has entered into an agreement with the
Nassau Airport Development Company to curate the exhibition cases at the
new Lynden Pindling International Airport on a rotating basis. Artists
and superior crafts persons producing three-dimensional works are asked
to submit portfolios for consideration to: The National Art Gallery of
The Bahamas, Attention Noel Thompson.
EXHIBITIONS
The Fifth National Exhibition, a show that challenged artists to
consider the environment as a point of aesthetic intervention, will come
to a close on February 28, 2011. The Gallery will install a temporary
exhibition of works from the National Collection as it develops an
exhibition on the Artist Kendal Hanna. “Happy Birthday to Me” will open
on June 25, 2011, the artist’s 75th birthday, and will feature key works
from the artist’s almost sixty-year career.
OPERATIONS
The Gallery has been available for rentals in the past and will
continue to on amore select basis. Several changes have been made
including the rental fee structure. Additionally, no large parties and
concerts outside NAGB programmes will be allowed because of the expense
of such productions and the wear and tear these events have caused on
this historic building. However, culturally minded events are welcome.
THE FUTURE
In
mid-2010, the Director indicated her intention to accept a joint
appointment at Yale University in the Departments of The History of Art
and African American Studies beginning the Fall of 2011.
To this end, the NAGB will begin a hiring exercise for a new Director
and curatorial and educational team that will include a curator,
curatorial assistants and trainees within the next few weeks. Job
descriptions for available posts along with application procedures and
deadlines will be posted on the Gallery’s website. Interested parties
are encouraged to apply.
The Director states: “I am confident
that the Gallery will move to new heights in the coming years, and the
work done in the next few months will play an integral role in helping
to make this happen. We are looking for individuals with vision and
talent, with a clear interest and understanding of the mission and goals
of the Gallery and whose heart lies with the people of The Bahamas.”
Please browse the Gallery’s website for continuing updates:
www.nagb.org.bs
.
The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. It belongs to you.
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