The Black Alchemists opens at Hall Branch beginning March 20, 2025.
The Black Alchemists highlights a pivotal group of 20th-century African American visual artists who harnessed the power of creativity to bring about positive transformation within their community and society.
From the 1930s to the 1950s, these visual artists of the Black Renaissance played a critical role in empowering communities and individuals on Chicago’s South Side at a time when the city and society was insistent on doing the opposite. Delving into the legacy of four of the era’s visionaries – William Edouard Scott, Marion Perkins, Gordon Parks, and Margaret Burroughs, The Black Alchemists provides insight into the social challenges artists of the era faced, informs of the preservation of the historical materials that tell their stories, and demonstrates how these artists empowered and transformed their community through their artistic practice, many of which we continue to benefit from today. The exhibit’s historical narrative conveys the impact of African American artistic alchemy and its lasting impact on art and culture in Chicago.
Presented by the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection, The Black Alchemists exhibit is the inaugural program offering of Magnitude and Bond: Linking and Building Relationships Across Chicago’s Black Visual Art Collections. The project aims to increase awareness and discoverability of Chicago Public Library’s rich archives and historical resources related to African American art history, while also supporting emerging scholars of Black, Indigenous, and communities of color heritage. The project and exhibit are made possible with generous support from the Getty Foundation and the Chicago Public Library Foundation.
Programs and Events
The Harsh Research Collection will host several public programs at the Hall Branch as a part of The Black Alchemist exhibit, including:
The Power of Black Art Archives — On Saturday, March 29th at 3pm, please join us at the George Cleveland Hall Branch for The Power of Black Art in Archives, the opening event for The Black Alchemists exhibit. This in-person presentation with Getty Fellow and exhibit curator, April Chambers, will explore the artwork, careers, and impact of visual artists of the Chicago Black Renaissance. Chambers will also delve into the establishment of Black art institutions, a testament to the power of art in shaping communities.
Tracing Our Path Through Bronzeville — On April 17th at 6pm, we will continue highlighting the impact of Black Renaissance era artists with film-screening of Tracing Our Path Through Bronzeville. Filmmaker and historian, Reginald Rice, will discuss how many of these artists contributed to and cultivated the cultural traditions that emerged from the Bronzeville community that challenged status quo through activism, visual arts, literature, and academic research. Tracing Our Path Through Bronzeville will highlight the contributions of various cultural institutions in Bronzeville, and contemporary African American artists that attempted to redefine the image and voice of black culture. Rice will be in conversation with historian and professor Lionel Kimble.
Additional events coming soon!