The City of Portsmouth, Portsmouth Museum and production company Home Studio are hosting Black History Month, a month-long series of events featuring mostly black artists, filmmakers and musicians with local ties.
Saturday will include an “Art that Changes the World” program with activist and illustrator Nicholas Smith. Smith, a Hampton University graduate, has worked on such films as the Oscar-winning “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'' and “Judas and the Black Messiah.'' He has illustrated children's books, including the New York Times bestseller “The 1619 Project: Born on the Water.”
The next few weeks will include screenings of the award-winning documentary “Bad Things Happened in Philadelphia.” NBA Hall of Famer and Hampton native Allen Iverson serves as executive director, along with Hampton Roads Home Studio co-founder Mark Mims.
Additional workshops and discussions on music and fashion are planned for the end of February.
Alexander Benitez of Portsmouth Museum Tourism said in an email that the program began with discussions between home studios and museum staff.Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum presents “Art Is Revolutionary,” an exhibition highlighting 18 area artists
“We focus on a variety of art forms and celebrate the immense talent that Hampton Roads has produced over the past 100-plus years,” Benitez wrote. “You could create an entire museum just on this theme.”
Mims said in an email that while “A Bad Thing Happened in Philadelphia'' deals with gun violence, the film deserves a place in a program built around celebrating history and progress. He said he believed it.
“Including this film in our Black History Month events recognizes the painful realities facing our communities while celebrating their resilience, strength, and unwavering fight for a better tomorrow.” This is a reminder that Black history is not only about victories over past injustices, but also about ongoing struggles and the collective pursuit of a more just and equitable future.”
Vincent Schilling vincent@schillingmediainc.com
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if you go
Art that changes the world with artist Nicholas Smith
when: Saturday, 1 p.m.
where: Children's Museum of Virginia, 221 High Street Portsmouth
ticket: What is included in the museum admission fee?
A movie that inspires change: Bad Things Happen in Philadelphia
when: February 17th noon
where: Commodore Theatre, 421 High St., Portsmouth
ticket: $ 10
Program dates and locations from February 23rd to March 1st, including “Music that Changes the World x The Grammy Awards are coming to Portsmouth!” And “Literature: Today's Dark History!'' is still being finalized.
For tickets and more information, visit blkhistorynow.com.
