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Calendar of Events
Zeynep Çelik Alexander, professor of art history at Columbia University and Neelika Jayawardane, professor of English at State University of New York-Oswego present research on the transatlantic slave trade, imperial gardens, classification systems, and colonial photography. Following the presentation, artist Todd Gray leads a discussion about how he examines these themes in his work, on view in MATRIX 186. Co-sponsored with The Amistad Center for Art & Culture.
Image: Todd Gray, Fair Game (Keep Your Head to the Sky), 2020. Four archival pigment prints with UV laminate in artist’s frames. Courtesy the collection of Christopher Scott and Cody Fitzsimmons.
This event is postponed due to rain and will take place Friday, July 9.
Kick off Hartford Bonanza weekend at the Wadsworth. In collaboration with Breakfast Lunch & Dinner, the front lawn is activated by DJs provided by Cafeteria. Hairstylist and salon owner Carmen Veal Conway leads a discussion and demo of textured hair styling at 5:30pm. Tours at 6pm and 7pm offer the opportunity to learn more about Leonardo Drew’s work. A basketball hoop on Atheneum Square North brings the party around the building. Free ice cream provided by the Ice Cream for a Dream truck while supplies last. In the case of inclement weather the Lawn Party will take place on Friday, July 9; 5-8pm.
Free. Cash bar and food trucks on site for refreshments and snacks.
In conjunction with Leonardo Drew: Two Projects.
Curated by artist Leonardo Drew, King Kong kicks off this summer film series. A film crew and cast making a movie on a tropical island discover a gigantic ape who takes a liking to the female star. The ape is captured and brought back to New York City for public exhibition. Free. Cash bar and snacks for purchase. Chairs provided. Events move indoors in the case of inclement weather. Please note that chairs and food brought in from outside are not permitted.
7–8:15pm: Live music; 8:15pm: Film screening
1933. USA. 100 min. Not Rated. Starring Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong. Directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack.
Recording artist Tang Sauce’s United Outkast presents a Hip Hop experience with live DJ, dancers, and rap performances. New Haven’s experimental soul ensemble Phat A$tronaut takes the stage to perform meticulously crafted arrangements. The Lost Tribe, a drum-centered Afro-funk fusion ensemble, led by multi-percussionist Jocelyn Pleasant closes out the lawn party jam session from 7–8pm.
Free. Cash bar and food trucks on site for refreshments and snacks.
In conjunction with Leonardo Drew: Two Projects.
This summer film series is curated by artist Leonardo Drew. A Raisin in the Sun tells the story of a working-class Black family living in Chicago who learns they will be receiving a substantial insurance check. Each member of the family begins to dream about what to do with the money. Free. Cash bar and snacks for purchase. Chairs provided. Events move indoors in the case of inclement weather. Please note that chairs and food brought in from outside are not permitted.
5-8pm: Summer Lawn Party: Jam Out; 8:15pm: Film screening
1961. USA. 132 min. Not Rated. Starring Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee. Directed by Daniel Petrie.
This screening is supported by My People Community Services & BSL Educational Foundation Inc.
This film series is curated by artist Leonardo Drew. Gloria tells the story of a young boy who’s family is killed by the Mob. A neighbor becomes his reluctant guardian, and the two go on the run with a notebook that the mobsters are desperate to retrieve. Free. Cash bar and snacks for purchase. Chairs provided. Events move indoors in the case of inclement weather. Please note that chairs and food brought in from outside are not permitted.
7–8:15pm: Live music; 8:15pm: Film screening
1980. USA. 122 min. Rated PG. Starring Gena Rowlands, John Adames. Directed by John Cassavetes.
This film series is curated by artist Leonardo Drew. The exceptionally lensed fantastical drama Beasts of the Southern Wild tells the story of a six-year-old girl who must learn the ways of courage and love while facing both her father’s fading health and melting ice caps that flood her bayou community. Free. Cash bar and snacks for purchase. Chairs provided. Events move indoors in the case of inclement weather. Please note that chairs and food brought in from outside are not permitted.
7–8:15pm: Live music; 8:15pm: Film screening
2012. USA. 93 min. Rated PG-13. Starring Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry. Directed by Benh Zeitlin (Wesleyan University graduate).
Supported by My People Community Services & BSL Educational Foundation Inc.
5-6pm Gallery Viewing
6pm Artist Talk – In museum
Sculpture, installation, and performance intersect with sound in the works of artist Naama Tsabar. Listen in as Tsabar explores her approach to creating interactive sound sculptures and learn about her process for building site-specific performances with local communities of women and gender non-conforming performers. Free with required registration.