Lamps, comfy chairs and couches, throw pillows…lots of soothing earth tones and animal prints – in a museum?
The Harrison Museum of African American Culture, now settling in at Center in the Square, is debuting two exhibitions within the next few weeks. One – the Demerson Collection – is already up and running.
It features art pieces (paintings, sculpture, pottery, mixed media) from the collection of Bamidele Demerson, a former director of the Harrison Museum, now at a museum in Greensboro. Francois Claytor also helped curate the art exhibit.
That art is accompanied by furniture and accessories curated by interior designer Teresa Doloni as well as home furnishings inspired by Africa and African American culture. The Harrison Museum is after all about culture, not just art, according to Charles Price, president of the museum’s board of directors. Weaving art and culture together allows the Harrison “to be open minded to items that we can present to the community.”
The Demerson collection will be exhibited through July 2014. “It is a combination of African art and artifacts…and its influence on 21st century living conditions within a home.” Price likes how the artwork from Demerson works with décor depicting a foyer, living room and bedroom.
Price also appreciated the way it all came together: “The desire from all of them was to create living conditions [and] lifestyle in the layout, with the artwork. There’s a relationship [between] all of the elements – the colors, the way the furniture is arranged and made.” He includes the pillows and carpet as adding to “the influence of the continent of Africa and various countries within Africa.” He especially likes a chair with colors that draws it closer to some of the artwork on display.
Price, whose wife Anita is a member of Roanoke City Council, hails the level of cooperation between the three people who curated the exhibit, in making sure Demerson’s artwork meshed with the furniture. “It seemed to come off fairly well,” he adds.
Another exhibit – The Mosiacs of Memories – should be ready by early March at the second floor museum, which was once located in an old school on Harrison Avenue. It’s the continuation of an exhibit that was at the Taubman Museum previously. “It’s dealing with the civil rights movement and recollections from individuals [involved] at that time,” said Price.
The Harrison Museum launched a multi-million dollar capital campaign prior to the move to Center in the Square; Price now realizes that seeking financial support “is something we’re going to be doing every day. It’s part of the process.” The Board of Directors operates the museum on a volunteer basis; all funds raised go towards exhibits and programs.
Price said the Harrison is growing to the point where it may be able to hire more staff, including someone to oversee the facility. “Each time we’re looking at improving our bottom line. We are trying to work with partners and individuals, to invest in what we’re trying to do.” The museum was “without walls” for a while after it moved out of its former space, before the Center in the Square remodel was completed.
There’s 5000 square feet of exhibit space inside the museum. Price said utilizing hallways in the Center lobby and at Center’s building on Church Avenue can double the amount of space the Harrison can use. “The initial thought is to present a product to the community that [includes] information and will inspire others to want to participate in the museum. We think there’s a lot of opportunity.”
By Gene Marrano