Savannah African Art Museum (SAAM) is slated to host several events to observe Black History Month by recognizing African cultural highlights and tracing genealogical roots.

The commemorative events include:
Event: Super Museum Sunday from 12 – 3 p.m. on Feb. 9 where visitors can openly tour the
            museum

Workshop: “Tracing Your Roots” Part 1 Workshop on Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and
                    12:30 – 2 p.m,

Class: “Magical Interventions” class featuring the Ngil Mask from the Fang People of Gabon
            from 3:30 – 4:40 p.m. Feb. 21,

Workshop: “Tracing Your Roots” Part 2 Workshop on Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and
                     12:30 – 2 p.m,.

In the above workshops SAAM Education Coordinator Lisa Jackson will be sharing tips and resources for those just getting started on genealogy, as well as ways to organize their findings and advanced methods for doing more searches. Other activities launching this month for children include coloring contest launching this month and running through the end of March.

To learn more about African history and culture, those interested can visit the Savannah African Art Museum. The museum showcases a vast collection of African art with tours that provide cultural context and historical background for the objects on display.

With its diverse offerings and unique, first-hand opportunities to learn about and embrace African history, SAAM is providing area residents and visitors with abundant options to commemorate Black History Month.

“We welcome and invite everyone to visit the Savannah African Art Museum to experience the collection and to learn more about African art and culture. This is a year-round experience that we would like to share with our visitors.” said Education Coordinator Lisa Jackson.

What we now celebrate as Black History Month was actually established in 1926 as ‘Negro History Week’ by Carter Godwin Woodson. Woodson (whose parents were enslaved) established this commemorative week to recognize the historical contributions of African culture, art, religion, science, written and oral literature. He believed that by acknowledging the history of African people, American and international social, economic, and cultural conditions could progress.*

The SAAM is a nonprofit institution that introduces all audiences to African art and culture. Its mission is to provide engaging experiences that educate and start conversations about the power, diversity, and spirituality of African art.