Black History and Culture 2025 at Bethany Arts Community
Bethany Arts Community is honoring Black History Month 2025 with the exhibit “Black History and Culture: Eyes Wide Open” and series of events.
Exhibit Dates:
February 1 – March 19
EXTENDED THRU 3/19!
Exhibit Hours:
Mon. – Sat. 10AM-4PM
Closed Sundays
*exhibit is open 30-minutes before events at BAC
Opening Reception:
Sat. February 1 6-8PM
Have a group of 8+ you’d like to schedule for a tour?To inquire about scheduling a private group tour (for groups of 8 or more) contact julias@bethanyarts.org.
Black History & Culture: Eyes Wide Open
Experience The 5th Annual Installation of this award-winning exhibit at Bethany Arts Community, curated by Joyce Sharrock Cole.
“Until the lion tells his side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” – African Proverb
The 2025 Bethany Arts Community Black History exhibit “Black History & Culture: Eyes Wide Open” is a transformative journey that our society has long awaited. For too long, we have viewed history with eyes wide shut, omitting the presence, contributions, experiences, afflictions, and injustices suffered by African Americans in our shared history.
This exhibit signifies a pivotal moment where we commit to observing black history with eyes wide open, fully acknowledging and embracing the realities experienced by African Americans in our community, state, and country. This commitment includes each one of us, making us all responsible for understanding and respecting the history of African Americans. We honor their contributions, resilience, and legacies that have the power to inspire, educate, and enrich our understanding of topics ranging from the enduring fight for civil rights and advances in medicine to culinary influences.
This exhibit is not just a display, but a powerful educational tool. As an African proverb wisely states, “Until the lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter.” Let this powerful message inspire and motivate us. It is time for the lion to speak.
5th installment of this award-winning exhibit at BAC will open on February 1, 2025 and will be on display through March 14, 2025. The exhibition will utilize oral history accounts and genealogical research to unearth the histories of the Black experience from all facets of life. Curated by Ossining Village Historian, Joyce Sharrock Cole.
February 1 6-8PM
OPENING RECEPTION
Black History & Culture:
Eyes Wide Open
February 5 & 19 7PM
Curator Walk & Talk
Experiences with
Curator, Joyce Sharrock Cole
February 15 6-8PM
Soulful Flavors
A Black Diaspora
Culinary Journey
Feb. 28 - March 9 Fridays - Sundays
The Spirit of Truth – A Powerful Stage Play Illuminating the Untold Journey of Sojourner Truth
Sponsor Black History and Culture 2025 at Bethany Arts Community
Bethany Arts Community (BAC) seeks sponsorships to continue the success of this engaging exhibition of Black History and Culture.
Bethany Arts Community is a non-profit organization serving the lower Hudson Valley of New York State and beyond. Our goal is to provide a welcoming and supportive environment in which all artists and community members can learn, create, and flourish.
Recognition, media coverage, and last year’s attendance have set a great foundation for the exhibition’s impact this year. In 2021-2024 exhibit attendees went from 500 to 4500. Media coverage will continue to expand its reach from News 12 to online regional journals with a goal to reach national outlets. As our social media presence and sponsorships grow, we also continue to expand our outreach partnerships. We are continuing our partnership with The Ossining and Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow School Districts for school tours, and their commitment of 4,000 student visitors and families for 2025. We have expanded our student Docent program to include adults and students from the 5th-12th grade. The Docents guide students and community members through the exhibit’s educational experiences.
All contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you for your time and consideration. To inquire about sponsoring Black History & Culture 2025, contact Nancy at nancyz@bethanyarts.org
Image: Garrett A. Morgan’s Traffic Signal Patent via U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office
BAC Docent Program
Docents are trained volunteer facilitators who provide group-learning experiences in the form of museum tours for Bethany Arts Community’s annual Black History & Culture Exhibit, this year’s theme “Eyes Wide Open.” The program expands the volunteer’s knowledge of art and history while strengthening communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills.
The program is designed to offer students and adults an exciting and engaging experience that stimulates learning, understanding, and compassion for others’ lived experiences. This program supports BAC’s mission to foster the intersection of ideas, sharing, connection, and collaboration, in an inclusive culture where people experience the power of art to improve lives and deepen their perceptions and perspectives of the world.
If you enjoy…
- Telling and listening to a good story.
- Meeting new people and interacting with diverse audiences.
- Learning about history and culture from different groups.
If you have…..
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Desire to have stronger interpersonal and communication skills
This program is for you.
INTERESTED? HAVE QUESTIONS?
Email Julia at julias@bethanyarts.org or call (914) 944-4278 to sign up!
Docent Duties and Responsibility
- Support visitors & interpret exhibits for visitors through interactive programming
- Communicate directly with visitors, including the public, students, and special interest groups.
- Work in collaboration with BAC staff & volunteers
- Facilitate interpretive programs as designed by the curator in a manner consistent with program goals and objectives
- Attend 2 required training sessions about facilitation and exhibit content
- Maintain an attitude of flexibility and respect in all relationships with visitors, peers, and BAC staff
- Commit to scheduled volunteer service
With Thanks
and Acknowledgement
Black History and Culture programming at Bethany Arts Community is made possible with support from Webster Bank.
