AAM Announces Grant Received from Art Bridges

The Academy Art Museum has received a generous grant from Art Bridges Foundation to offer free public programs centered on Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s monumental artwork I Refuse to be Invisible featured in the current exhibition, Fickle Mirror: Dialogues in Self-Portraiture. Art Bridges funded the expenses associated with shipping Crosby’s work from its collection based in Arkansas to Easton, as well as a series of educational programs that help audiences engage with the ideas in the work.

The improvisational, interactive concert features acclaimed musicians from the region—Kentavius Jones, Jordan Stanley, and Ian Trusheim—and will also serve as a closing celebration for Fickle Mirror: Dialogues in Self-Portraiture, which closes on October 11. To reserve your spot at this concert, please register in advance at academyartmuseum.org.

I Refuse to Be Invisible: An Improvisational Concert
Saturday, October 8, 6 pm

Join the Academy Art Museum for a special Fickle Mirror: Dialogues in Self-Portraiture closing reception concert featuring Kentavius Jones (voice, guitar), Jordon Stanley (drums, spoken word) and Ian Trusheim (bass.) The dynamic trio will perform an interactive, improvisational response to artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s work, I Refuse to Be Invisible, on view as part of the Museum’s Fickle Mirror exhibition and on loan from Art Bridges. Audience members will be invited to join on percussion and contribute written responses inspired by the work. Don’t miss the chance to see our community’s most exciting ensemble perform live!

AAM has already presented two Art Bridges-funded programs inspired by Crosby’s work: Travelers: A Book Talk with Helon Habila and Matthew Davis on September 9, and Who Am I? Identity Silhouettes: A Family Art Making Project on Saturday, September 24.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Art Bridges to share Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s important work with our visitors. I deeply admire the vision of the Foundation to disseminate great artworks to rural areas and fund educational programs that help audiences engage with the ideas explored in the work,” AAM Director Sarah Jesse said. “Art Bridges and AAM share a mission to provide everyone with access to art and a belief in the power of art to transform communities, so it is a natural partnership.”