Thursday, March 24, 2016

Highlights from Black History Month Dinner 2016

At the end of February, the Georgia Museum of Art held its annual Black History Month dinner and awards ceremony. The title of this year’s event was “Hallowed Ground: Sites of African American Memory,” in coordination with the overarching theme of Black History Month in the U.S. Guests from around the nation congregated at the museum to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to Georgia’s culture.

At the event, museum curators Sarah Kate Gillespie and Shawnya Harris led gallery talks about pieces in the permanent collection by African American artists, including paintings by Emma Amos, winner of this year’s Thompson award. Guests were also treated to a concert by the UGA African American Choral Ensemble, followed by dinner and dessert in the M. Smith Griffith Grand Hall. At the ceremony, Michael L. Thurmond and Emma Amos’s awards were presented; both Thurmond and India Amos, daughter of Emma Amos, gave wonderful acceptance speeches. Read more about our winners here.

Curator Sarah Kate Gillespie giving a gallery talk about paintings 
by African American artists. Image: Madison Bledsoe

Two women visiting in front of the Emma Amos feature 
wall in the museum galleries. Image: Madison Bledsoe

Table of students waiting for the awards ceremony to begin. Image: Madison Bledsoe

The Thompsons and friends. Image: Madison Bledsoe

Dr. Gregory Broughton directing a concert set by the UGA 
African American Choral Ensemble. Image: Madison Bledsoe

Michael L. Thurmond accepting the 2016 Lillian C. Lynch 
Citation from Peggy Galis. Image: Madison Bledsoe

India Amos accepting the 2016 Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson 
Award from Shawnya Harris. Image: Madison Bledsoe

Past honoree, Harold Rittenberry, congratulates 
Michael L. Thurmond. Image: Madison Bledsoe



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