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Juneteenth 2022
June 18, 2022 at 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Overview
The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts has altered its Juneteenth commemoration in recognition of the passing of County Commission Chairman Elton Dean. This change of plans comes at the request of Mayor Stephen L. Reed, who asked that the Museum, a department of the City of Montgomery, modify its event, which coincided with the funeral services for Chairman Dean.
While the Museum is forgoing its large-scale Juneteenth celebration, more intimate commemorative programming will continue as scheduled at the Museum. Visitors are welcome to explore the exhibition Lava Thomas: Homecoming, which features portraits inspired by photographs of remarkable African American people that tackle issues of representation and memorialization. Homecoming exhibition curator Dr. Bridget R. Cooks and historian and activist Georgette Norman will host a conversation examining Cooks’ book, Exhibiting Blackness: African Americans and the American Art Museum, via Zoom in the galleries surrounded by Thomas’ stunning drawings.
In addition to the installation, visitors can take self-guided tours throughout the Museum’s collection of African American artists, from Edmonia Lewis’ exquisite sculpture Hiawatha’s Marriage (1868) and Amy Sherald’s attention-grabbing print Handsome (2020) to Bayeté Ross Smith’s Got the Power: Montgomery (2022) installation in the Garden, and many more. Local artist Milton Madison will also host this month’s Open Studio, where artists come together to create art in the Museum’s studio spaces.
Other Events Around Town
Thursday, June 16
7 PM – I Am Not Your Negro at the Capri Theatre sponsored by the Rosa Parks Museum | $12, Purchase tickets at capritheater.org
Friday, June 17
6–9 PM – Manifest Liberty Gala at Union Station | $10, Learn more at montgomerychamber.com
Saturday, June 18
11 AM–6 PM – 7th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Rosa Parks Museum | Free, Learn more at troy.edu
6–9 PM – Juneteenth Festival at Riverwalk Amphitheater | Free, Learn more at mgmcityevents.com
Sunday, June 19
2 PM – Juneteenth Praise Fest at Riverwalk Amphitheater | Free, Learn more at mgmcityevents.com
Sponsors
Juneteenth Sponsors
Support for Juneteenth is provided by lead sponsor Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC and sponsor Coca-Cola.
Annual Event Sponsors
Annual support for events at the MMFA is provided by lead sponsors Lamar and MGMWERX, with additional support from sponsors Gene and Ray Ingram and Margaret and Jimmy Lowder, and co-sponsors Confero, Mary Lil Owens and Bill Little, Renasant Bank, and Synovus Bank.
About Councilman Dean
Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton N. Dean, Sr. (above), passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Chairman Dean was first elected to the Montgomery County Commission in 2000 and was subsequently reelected in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020. He was elected Vice Chairman of the County Commission in 2004 and served as Chairman since 2009.
Chairman Dean’s funeral services will be held at the Alabama State University Acadome on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States that celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Juneteenth’s commemoration is held on the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Army Major General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for enslaved people in Texas, the last state of the Confederacy with institutional slavery, due to the ratification of the Emancipation Proclamation. Originating in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1866 as a celebration of African American culture. It became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983.
