Ladies Hats and Tea

This past weekend the Banneker-Douglass Museum co-hosted one of its most anticipated events of the year - the annual Ladies Hats and Tea. This event first started in 2007 as a one-time program to coincide with the exhibition Trails, Tracks, Tarmac and was so well received it was brought back as an annual event. Partnering with the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center and the Northern Arundel Cultural Preservation Society, Inc., the museum has offered the event each March as a tribute to Women's History Month.

This event brings out hats of all shapes, sizes, and designs. There are always at least a few historical hats or hats passed down from family members. Some are very colorful and/or well embellished while others are simple and understated. It is always interesting to see what hats will appear at the event.

During the Hats and Tea, the audience is treated to multiple speakers and performances. The 2010 Hats and Tea was themed Changing Perspectives. To go along with the theme, the planning committee asked attendees to consider how they can change the life of a young person. The audience was treated to singing, a saxophone solo, liturgical dance, and hand dancing all performed by young community members. Additionally we had two guest speakers - Master Chief Evelyn Banks from the United States Naval Academy and the First Lady of Maryland, Judge Katie O'Malley. Both women spoke about the role of women throughout history up to today and how women will shape the future.

Calls for the 2011 Hats and Tea are already coming in. Information about the 2011 Ladies Hats and Tea will appear on the museum's website later this year or early next year. If you would like to help plan next year's tea or participate, please contact us at BDMPrograms@goci.state.md.us.

A Giant Has Fallen

Simply put, Lucille Clifton is a poetic giant. She was the first African American poet laureate of Maryland, serving in this capacity from 1979-1985. On the dawn of the 21st century, she won the National Book Award for Blessing the Boats. She was also awarded the prestigious Ruth Lily Poetry Prize, the Lannan Literary Award, and many others. In addition to the numerous awards received, she served as a chancellor of the American Academy of Poets as well as a member of the Board of Governors for thePoetry Society of America.

This April, during National Poetry Month, the Poetry Society of America had planned to give Mrs. Clifton the coveted Centennial Frost Medal for her decades of poetic excellence. However, due to her untimely death, the awards ceremony will become a tribute to Mrs. Clifton and her art. The ceremony will take place on April 1, 2010 at the National Arts Club in New York at 7pm. For more information on the tribute, please consult the Poetry Society of America's website: http://www.poetrysociety.org/psa/events/#share.

Photo by Rachel Eliza Griffith

Curator Corner

THOMAS R. BADEN COLLECTION, 1939-1974

Thomas R. Baden (1908-1974), a native Annapolitan, developed his interest in photography into a role of documenting African American life in Annapolis. “Tommy B,” as he was known in the community photographed African American social and community events for over forty years. His collection contains over 3,000 photograph prints, negatives and darkroom equipment donated by his daughter, Barbara Baden-Bentley. Bentley also served as a devoted Commissioner of Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture.

Seneca Village Family Art Program

Last Saturday’s Seneca Village Family Art Program was great fun. Artists Leslie King-Hammond and José J. Mapily helped us create our own artwork based on their sculpture, Celestial Praise House for Seneca Village, which is the focal point of the exhibition, The Seneca Village Collaboration. The works will be added to the exhibit, which run through May 1, 2010.

Come join us for the next family art program, where we will make medicine bottles and power packs. It’s April 10, 2010 from 10:30 to noon. Registration is encouraged: 410.216.6180 or BDMPrograms@goci.state.md.us