Still I Rise: The Black Experience at Reynolda on display from Feb. 22 through Dec. 31
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Feb. 23, 2022)—A new exhibition, Still I Rise: The Black Experience at Reynolda, will be on display at Reynolda House Museum of American Art in the Master Bedroom Gallery from Feb. 22 through Dec. 31, 2022. Still I Rise examines the lives of the Black women and men who helped shape Reynolda as it evolved from a Jim Crow-era working estate into an American art museum.
Published in 1978, Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise” is an assertion of dignity, resilience and triumph in the face of oppression and serves as inspiration for the name of the Reynolda exhibition. Angelou first came to Reynolda in 1973, one of many Black voices to resonate within and beyond Reynolda’s grounds.
“The Still I Rise exhibition is an important part of the Reynolda story and highlights the first 15 years of our of existence as a museum for American art by examining the events that shaped the evolution of the museum and the projects that uncovered the history of Reynolda’s past,” said Allison Perkins, executive director, Reynolda House. “We are grateful for the opportunity to share Still I Rise with those who visit Reynolda through the end of the year.”
From 1912 through the 1950s, during one of the most repressive climates for Black people in North Carolina history, Black men and women navigated Reynolda’s segregated spaces—farming the land, constructing buildings and working as domestic staff. The discriminatory laws of the Jim Crow era denied Black people their rights, subjected them to public humiliation, and perpetuated their economic and educational marginalization.
Segregation, anti-Black laws and the exploitation of Black labor affected the lives of everyone at Reynolda, where there was separate housing, separate schools and jobs often divided along racial lines. While the struggle for equality did not end with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the story of Reynolda pivoted to one of a public cultural institution that invited artists such as Maya Angelou, Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden to share their art.
“We are excited to be able to sponsor ‘And Still I Rise’,” said Candice Wooten Brown, chair of the the Arts Facet of the Winston-Salem (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. “Through this partnership with Reynolda House we are able to continue supporting programs that feature black artists and the rich legacy of black communities.” “And Still I Rise” showcases another aspect of the history of blacks at Reynolda — and by extension, the history of blacks in Winston-Salem. A history borne of resilience, ingenuity and perseverance. It’s one of many integral stories that comprise the foundation of this city that we call home. We look forward to sharing the exhibit, its stories and complementary programming with the community throughout the year.
Tickets are available at reynolda.org/stillirise.
This exhibition has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Winston-Salem (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
*Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Download press images at reynolda.org/press-stillirise.
Hours and Admission
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, located at 2250 Reynolda Rd., is open to visitors Tuesday–Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Admission is charged. Museum members, children 18 and under, college students, active or retired military personnel with ID, EBT cardholders, and employees of Wake Forest University and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center with valid ID receive free admission to the Museum. Passes to Reynolda House in English and Spanish are also available to check out from every branch of the Forsyth County Public Library free of charge. View all free admission opportunities.
Reynolda Gardens is open from dawn to dusk daily free of charge. The Greenhouse is currently closed. Reynolda Village merchant hours vary. No ticket is needed to shop at the Reynolda House Museum store. Explore reynolda.org for more information.
About Reynolda
Reynolda is set on 170 acres in Winston-Salem, N.C. and comprises Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Reynolda Gardens and Reynolda Village Shops and Restaurants. The Museum presents a renowned art collection in a historic and incomparable setting: the original 1917 interiors of Katharine and R. J. Reynolds’s 34,000-square-foot home. Its collection is a chronology of American art and featured exhibitions are offered in the Museum’s Babcock Wing Gallery and historic house bedrooms. The Gardens serve as a 134-acre outdoor horticultural oasis open to the public year-round, complete with colorful formal gardens, nature trails and a greenhouse. In the Village, the estate’s historic buildings are now home to a vibrant mix of boutiques, restaurants, shops and services. Plan your visit at reynolda.org and use the free mobile app Reynolda Revealed to self-tour the estate.
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Media Contact:
Steve Bumgarner
steve@capturevalue.com
336-722-9660 (office)
336-403-0955 (mobile)