BeYourOwnMuse

Follow BeYourOwnMuse
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

The Spelman College Museum of Fine Art is the only museum in the nation emphasizing art by women of the African Diaspora.

Spelman College Museum of Fine Art

  • Apr 15, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
  • infrequent NEW EPISODES
  • 27m AVG DURATION
  • 27 EPISODES


Search for episodes from BeYourOwnMuse with a specific topic:

Latest episodes from BeYourOwnMuse

Reflections on David C. Driskell’s Enduring Legacy

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2020 49:04


In this Be Your Own Muse exclusive conversation, Dr. Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Dr. Kirsten Pai Buick, Naima Keith, and Valerie Cassel Oliver (who are each recipients of the Driskell Prize in African American Art and Art History) discuss the artistic legacy and influence of David C. Driskell. They reflect on David’s impact as a mentor, colleague, and confidant and discuss his commitment to “growing the field,” expanding opportunities for African Americans in the arts, and supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Correction at 3:24: The correct name of the foundation mentioned is the Clara Elizabeth Jackson Carter Foundation.

Community Reflections on Mildred Thompson

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2019 23:45


"Mildred Thompson: The Atlanta Years, 1986 –2003" opened with a roundtable conversation on the impact of her work and presence on September 11, 2019. Later that evening, we recorded a live segment inside the Museum where the community was invited to share reflections on Thompson as an artist, friend, mentor, inspiration, and/or colleague.

"Mildred Thompson: The Atlanta Years, 1986 – 2003” Co-Curators

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2019 35:34


“Mildred Thompson: The Atlanta Years, 1986 – 2003” exhibition co-curators Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D. and Melissa Messina explore Thompson’s legacy in Atlanta as an artist, educator, and creative force and discuss the themes present in her work. “Mildred Thompson: The Atlanta Years, 1986 – 2003” is on view at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art September 11 through December 7, 2019. Image: Detail of "Radiation Explorations 12," 1994, Oil on canvas, Courtesy The Estate of Mildred Thompson and Galerie Lelong & Co., New York.

Anne Collins Smith

Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2019 32:46


Anne Collins Smith, our Curator of Collections, discusses how she approached organizing “Presence: Meditations on the Spelman College Collection" and details the College's history of collecting and prioritizing art. In addition, Collins Smith shares with us a few pivotal moments and decisions she has made in her career as a lifelong learner, curator, caretaker, instigator, conjure woman, and advocate of artistic engagement. “Presence: Meditations on the Spelman College Collection" is presented alongside "Amy Sherald," and is on view through May 18, 2019.

Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D.

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2019 39:25


Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D., shares some thoughts on her recent publication, “Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion in Museums.” Additionally, Dr. Cole talks about how she came to major in anthropology, when art began to matter to her, and how she supported the founding of the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art during her tenure as Spelman College president (1987-1997). She also highlights some of the decision-making criteria she uses to evaluate leadership opportunities where several of her mentors are identified. This conversation also features an excerpt of a recording of Dr. Cole in dialogue with current Spelman College president, Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., which was moderated by the Museum’s director, Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D.

T. Lang

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2018 37:03


Dancer and Choreographer T. Lang discusses the original work she created in conversation with our Fall 2018 exhibition, “Zanele Muholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness,” titled “Untitled…Dark Lioness.” Lang delves into how she interprets Muholi’s work, the influence of travel on her dance language, and the expansion of her dance company, T. Lang Dance, into a non-profit organization. "Zanele Muholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness" is on view at the Spelman College Museum Fine Art now through December 8, 2018.

The Reclamation by Nina "Lyrispect" Ball

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2018 7:50


Award-winning lyricist and activist, Nina "Lyrispect" Ball was commissioned to create an original poem in response to "Zanele Muholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness" that debuted during #SpelZanelePRIDE. #SpelZanelePRIDE was a panel discussion featuring esteemed guests Dr. Beverly Guy Sheftall, Latishia James-Portis, and Marla Renee Stewart on the sexuality, spirituality, and visibility of #LGBTQI women of the African Diaspora during Atlanta’s annual PRIDE celebration. The panel was preceded with a performance of Lyrispect's original poem – The Reclamation* – and sparked an afternoon of epic and poetic proportions. #SpelMuse #SpelZanele #SpelZanelePRIDE *The Reclamation was originally performed at Spelman College Museum of Fine Art and recorded at the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library. Image: Lyrispect by Adrianna Clark

Zanele Muholi and Renée Mussai

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2018 28:39


Zanele Muholi and Renée Mussai discuss "Zanele Muholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail The Dark Lioness," which makes its United States premiere at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art. Muholi dives deep into the process of being in front of the camera, the importance of The Gaze in their work, and what it means to explore different levels of Blackness through language. Mussai shares what it feels like to return to Spelman College after previously arriving as the curator of "Black Chronicles II" in 2016 and reflections on curating "Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail The Dark Lioness." "Zanele Muholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness" is on view at the Spelman College Museum Fine Art now through December 8, 2018. Image: Renee Mussai and Zanele Muholi by Julie Yarbrough

Deborah Roberts (Part Two)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2018 17:00


Deborah Roberts discusses her latest exhibition, "Deborah Roberts: The Evolution of Mimi," on view at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art January 25 - May 19, 2018. Deborah Roberts shares the inspiration and meaning behind specific works in the exhibition, delves deeper into a discussion about what it means to Black in the United States and abroad, and what artistic success means to her. Image: Deborah Roberts by Shannon McCollum

Zoe Whitley, Ph.D., Curator (Tate Modern)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2018 24:46


Zoe Whitley, co-curator of "Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power" joins us for a conversation about curatorial practice, Black Culture in the US versus the UK, and why it was important to visit Spelman while in the States. Learn more about Zoe Whitley at zoewhitley.com Image courtesy of Andrew Dunkley, Tate Photography

Deborah Roberts (Part One)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2018 31:25


Deborah Roberts discusses her latest exhibition, "Deborah Roberts: The Evolution of Mimi," on view at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art January 25 - May 19, 2018. In part one of this two-part conversation, Deborah Roberts shares how the music of Mariah Carey and Ms. Lauryn Hill influenced her earlier work, the ways in which her Austin, TX roots informed her earliest ideas of Blackness, and why she shifted her focus from painting to collage. She is joined by exhibition curator and Spelman College Museum of Fine Art director, Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D. Image: Deborah Roberts by Shannon McCollum

Beverly Buchanan: In Her Own Words

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2017 10:55


This recording is a collection of audio clips where Beverly Buchanan (1940-2015) reflects on her life, career, and arts practice. She discusses meeting Norman Lewis and Romare Bearden (who later become mentors of hers), recites an original piece of writing about a work of art she created, provides a personal story about her involvement in the Civil Rights movement, and offers advice to student artists, among several other engaging topics. The audio segments in this podcast were pulled from found video footage from much longer interviews featuring Beverly Buchanan, which are below: Beverly Buchanan - An interview with Marcia G. Yerman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfBZm2QHzi4 Buchanan part 2 with Prudence Lopp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48nksZx28eI Image: Beverly Buchanan, Athens, GA, 2000 by Jerry Siegel. Archival inkjet print. 11.3 x 17 inches. (Courtesy the artist and Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia.)

Community Conversations: Reflections by Beverly Buchanan's Peers And Friends

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2017 38:31


Beverly Buchanan passed away in 2015 at the age of 74. In celebration of this remarkable artist, our next two recordings will feature personal and professional reflections. Featured here are author Alice Walker, curators Lowery Stokes Sims and Karen Comer Lowe, and friends Reed McAllister and Mary Porter. Image courtesy of @brooklynmuseum

Community Conversations: Spelman College Arts Journalism Class

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2017 18:21


In this Community Conversations episode, Spelman College Arts Journalism students take on the role of producers and ask attendees at the "Beverly Buchanan—Ruins and Rituals" opening reception to share thoughts about the artist (1940-2015) and her work. "Beverly Buchanan—Ruins and Rituals," is on display from September 14th through December 2nd, 2017. Special thanks to Dr. Calaya Stallworth and her student producers: Clarissa M. Brooks Donna L. Davidson Imani N. Dickens Rakirah A. Fischer Mo'Esha M. Hicks Lauryn A. Lawrence Maia E. McGregory Rosalind Miller Rachel A. Moore Shala L. Murray Leah M. Proctor-Ford Destiny Y. Stone

Jennifer Burris and Park McArthur

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2017 30:50


"Beverly Buchanan--Ruins and Rituals" co-curators discuss the exhibition, on view at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art September 14 - December 2, 2017.

Community Conversations: Danielle Gilmore and Kwajelyn Jackson

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2017 29:12


A continuation of our Community Conversation series features Danielle Gilmore and Kwajelyn Jackson. As employees of the Feminist Women’s Health Center, Gilmore and Jackson engage in conversation about the supervisor/mentor dynamic, initial impressions of each other, the importance of their work in reproductive justice, and the notion of the Black Woman’s Body as muse. This series is inspired by our current exhibition “Mickalene Thomas: Mentors, Muses, and Celebrities,” which is on view until May 20, 2017.

Community Conversations: Collette Hopkins + Tabitha James

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2017 25:06


This Community Conversation series connects local Black women cultural producers with specific themes in our current exhibition, “Mickalene Thomas: Mentors, Muses, and Celebrities.” Today Dr. Collette Hopkins and her mentee Tabitha James, not only discuss the nature of their relationship, but the importance of child advocacy, believing in your dreams in the face of adversity, and intergenerational bonding.

Community Conversations: Danielle Deadwyler + Joan McCarty

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2017 27:27


This #BeYourOwnMuse community conversation features interdisciplinary artist Danielle Deadwyler and one of her mentors Joan McCarty. McCarty discusses her role as an educator in Spelman College’s Department of Theater and Performance, while Deadwyler describes the journey to reconnect with her craft after a few departures during her formative years. Both women reflect on their early impressions of each other and highlight the role that the Spelman community continues to play in informing the work they produce.

Mickalene Thomas (Part Two)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2017 29:03


In the second part of this two-part conversation, Mickalene Thomas talks about "creating space," what she brings to her craft that a man could not, and why “tete-a-tate” is an important aspect of how she fosters context and dialogue with other artists and their work. Finally, Thomas details her collaboration with singer Solange Knowles, and what motherhood has taught her. Image: © Lyndsy Welgos

Mickalene Thomas (Part One)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2017 24:45


Mickalene Thomas joins the #BeYourOwnMuse podcast to discuss her latest exhibition, "Mickalene Thomas: Mentors, Muses, and Celebrities", on view at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art February 9th - May 20th, 2017. In the first part of this two-part conversation, Mickalene Thomas discusses her earliest muses, her mother as an important source of creative inspiration, and why she reveres female comediennes. She also explains her approaches video versus photography and her thoughts on creating a sense of invitation for the viewer and the subjects of her work. Image: © Lyndsy Welgos

Lina Iris Viktor

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2016 19:17


AFRICA FORECAST artist Lina Iris Viktor talks about how mythology finds itself in her work, the context of her current preferred color palette, and how growing up in London with a distinctive worldview influences her approach to making art. Image courtesy of the artist

Firelei Baez

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2016 20:26


AFRICA FORECAST artist Firelei Baez discusses the dynamics of race and identity in her work within the context of her Dominican and Haitian roots and upbringing in the United States. Baez also delves into how Afro-Caribbean folklore plays an important thematic role in what she creates, the importance of the size/scale of her work, and why she is excited to have work on view at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art. Image courtesy of the artist

Andrea Barnwell-Brownlee + Erika Dalya Massaquoi

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2016 31:23


AFRICA FORECAST co-curators discuss the exhibition, on view at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art September 15 - December 3, 2016.

Fabiola Jean-Louis

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2016 14:20


Visual Artist Fabiola Jean-Louis discusses the history and tension present in her work, her path to picking up photography after a long hiatus, and how her daughters inform and influence her perspective as an artist.

Ayana V. Jackson

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2016 26:15


Visual Artist Ayana V. Jackson discusses her approach to framing herself as a subject within her photography, the effect her Spelman College education has had on her perspectives of black identity, and how her connections with people and places throughout the African Diaspora have shaped her.

Vanessa German

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2016 24:18


AFRICA FORECAST artist Vanessa German discusses her approach to making her sculptural assemblages, the importance of her hands to her work, and her approach to her writing and spoken word.

Be Your Own Muse

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2016 37:00


The Spelman College Museum of Fine Art launches it's podcast series Be Your Own Muse. Listen to the Director, Curator of Collections, and Curator of Education discuss their backgrounds, the current exhibition on view, and why they decided to launch this series now.

Claim BeYourOwnMuse

In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

Claim Cancel