Every February, Canadians celebrate Black History Month by honouring and highlighting the contributions of Black people to the nation’s history.
People celebrate Black History Month with inserts of events such as visual exhibitions, school lectures and presentations across the countries. The MacKenzie Art Gallery celebrates with the exhibition from the African Canadian Heritage Museum.
The exhibition includes photos, articles from magazines, documents and sculptures based on an Italian colonial project from 1890 to 1941. MacKenzie Art Gallery’s curator, Tak Pham, talked about some of the art works that were at the exhibition.
This week's hybrid Studio Sunday, explore the work of art Dawit L. Petros, presented by Canada Life Co! Inspired by Petros' Preoccupation (Rivista Coloniale), create a magazine cover!
Learn more about this activity & how to join in-person at: https://t.co/ICI50WpF2W pic.twitter.com/qMcIyZGBZz
— MacKenzieArtGallery (@atTheMAG) February 16, 2022
MacKenzie Art Gallery shared some of the art projects on social media.
“This military large trigger an acceleration of Italians colonial project, resulting in a formal declaration in 1819”, said Pham about the exhibit of A constant re-telling of the future in the past by Dawit L. Petros. “This unresolved historical question continues to shape of both Italy and Africa.”
Italian colonization began in 1890 with the occupation of Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and Ethiopia. It lasted until the death of the Italian leader Benito Mussolini and the defeat of Italy in The Second World War.
The MacKenzie Art gallery also held an online presentation about the history of Dawit Petros’ exhibition and its connection to the Prairie.
Anyone can view the presentation on the Mackenzie Art gallery official website.
The Western Development Museum with Melfort & District Museum presented a virtual exhibition dedicated to Dr. Shadd.
Dr. Shadd was the first settler of Saskatchewan. He was an active citizen of the province. Dr. Shadd worked for a local government, published a newspaper, engaged in farming and in the development of The Black community. He was a pillar of the Melfort and Kinistino communities.
“He was a teacher, a doctor, a farmer, an entrepreneur, a politician, a coroner, a school trustee, a medical health officer. He was a member of the town council, the board of trade, the hospital board, the framer’s elevator company, the agricultural society, the independent order of foresters, the masonic lodge and the orange lodge,” said Garry Forsyth, organizer of Dr. A. S. Shadd Virtual Exhibit.
“His contributions to agriculture in the Melfort area are remarkable. That is two examples of why we champion this gentleman and celebrate his existence on this Black History Month.”
Saskatchewan’s African Canadian Museum organized the activities.
“The main part of our events are exhibitions in Regina museums,” said Carol La Fayette-Boyd, a member of the African Canadian Museum board. “Due to the COVID we do not have the opportunity to make our events in-person, but we try to make them virtually.”
People not only participate in the exhibition but also make donations in support of Black communities.
“We also planning to make live events this summer,” said Fayette-Boyd. “On July 1 we are planning to have a cultural village with dances, performances and storytelling in Regina Park.”
The University of Regina also takes part in Black History Month. There are multiple historical posters students can view on the second floor of The Administration Humanities Building.
