Posing Beauty in African American Culture traces the relationship between African American beauty and visual culture from the 1890s to the present through documentary, commercial, and fine art photography. Documentary photographs and portraits of portraits of Black Americans—some famous, some just ordinary citizens—present the public face of African American beauty, while commercial photographs demonstrate how fashion and advertising have constructed beauty standards. Finally, contemporary photographers—some of whom use themselves as a subject—encourage consideration of how images of beauty impact mass culture and individuals.
Posing Beauty includes more than 100 works by photographers including Charles “Teenie” Harris, Leonard Freed, Anthony Barboza, Carrie Mae Weems, Hank Willis Thomas, Sheila Pree Bright, Renee Cox, Mickalene Thomas, and others. Organized by Curatorial Assistance Traveling Exhibitions and curated by Deborah Willis, PhD, one of the nation’s leading historians of African American photography and culture, the exhibition will challenge existing notions of beauty while encouraging consideration of race, class, and gender within art and popular culture.
Admission is free for Taft members, guests of members with guest pass, military, and youth (17 and under); $15 for adults; $12 for seniors. Save on tickets when you buy online. Includes admission to special exhibitions and the museum’s collection galleries. Sundays and Mondays are FREE!
Enjoy special tours, behind-the-scenes insights, and more during this unique exhibition!
5 Curator Favorites in Posing Beauty in African American Culture
On a time crunch? Here are five must-see works in our special exhibition Posing Beauty on view October 5, 2024–January 12, 2025.
Friday, October 4
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Join us for an exclusive members’ preview day! Created for members and their guests.
Free for Taft members, guests of members with guest pass, and FotoFocus passport holders.
Thursday, October 10*
5–8 p.m.
Join us for an exclusive members’ opening and be one of the first to explore the Taft’s newest special exhibitions, Posing Beauty in African American Culture and Resilience: New Ceramic Works by Terri Kern. The program will include remarks from President & CEO Rebekah Beaulieu, as well as music and self-guided tours. Light bites and drinks. Free valet parking.
This is a FREE event for Taft members, guests of members, and FotoFocus passport holders.
*Please note: this event was originally scheduled for Thursday, October 4 and has been moved to Thursday, October 10.
Sunday, October 13
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Explore the museum with our free Family Fundays throughout the year! These special days offer a new experience each time you visit. Music, art-making, and gallery engagements throughout the day are sure to inspire your young creators.
Celebrate the exhibition Posing Beauty in African American Culture and Resilience: New Ceramic Works by Terri Kern with art activities, food and drinks specials in the Café, family tours, and musical guests.
This is a free event! Registration is not required. Museum admission is free.
FULL SCHEDULE:
10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Garden Tent | Art making and costume making for the fashion show.
11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Café | Food available for purchase
11 a.m.– 2 p.m. | Garden Tent | “Walking the Runway” workshop with special presenter, Catrena Bowman, of Inspired Fashion boutique.
12–1 p.m. | Garden Tent | Fashion Show, no sign-ups needed—come strut your stuff!
1–4 p.m. | Garden Tent | Beer and Cocktails available for purchase
1–3 p.m. | Collection Galleries | Sensory Explorations
2:30–3:30 p.m. | Garden Tent | Fall Jazz Series featuring The Justin Dawson Quartet
Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.
Thursday, October 24
6–7 p.m.
Exhibition and collection galleries open until 6 p.m. | Talk is in Luther Hall, 6–7 p.m.
Speaker | Deborah Willis, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Photography & Imaging at the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University
The artists in this exhibition are thoughtful and critical about producing images that have been traditionally excluded or overlooked by the art historical canon. Each of the images discussed represents the importance of implementing a radical approach to depicting the complexity and depth of the Black beauty and Black subjectivity in art and culture globally. Moreover, each artist’s distinct articulation reveals narratives that underwrite social constructs, while imbuing the image with a transformative character, and abstract dimension for other imaginaries to emerge. The photographers and artists that Willis will discuss employ the complexity of a gaze that is active as it questions the past and present.
Registration is required. Free for Taft members and FotoFocus passholders; $15 for non-members. Event admission includes the opportunity for attendees to view the exhibition before the talk.
Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.
Supported by FotoFocus
Sponsored by Pamela and Lennell Myricks, Jr.
Supported by the Stanley and Frances D. Cohen Lecture Series
Friday, October 25
7-10 p.m.
Galleries Open from 6:30–9:30
Musical Performance Begins at 8:30 p.m.
Mix, mingle, and experience Black beauty, culture, photography, and music with us to celebrate our new special exhibition Posing Beauty in African American Culture! Join us for a FREE evening to explore this new exhibit and get an exclusive sneak preview of Cincinnati Opera’s newly commissioned work with the Black Opera Project, Lalovavi.
Throughout the night you can delight in complimentary light bites, grab a mocktail or cocktail at the cash bar, meet fellow art lovers, and explore multiple mediums with our historic garden as an autumnal backdrop.
This is a free event! Registration is not required. This evening is also a part of FotoFocus Final Fridays. Includes FREE admission to our current special exhibitions Posing Beauty in African American Culture, Resilience: New Ceramic Works by Terri Kern and collection galleries. Become a Young Professional member for extra perks, including one complimentary drink ticket and more!
Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.
Saturday, October 27
1–3:30 p.m.
Led by Women Writing for (a) Change, this writing circle is inspired by Posing Beauty. Participants will be guided through the exhibition and engage in a facilitated writing circle in response to the art.
Bring your favorite writing materials or use the supplies provided. Time will be given for independent writing and reflection on the exhibition. Participants will reassemble for a read around, when everyone is invited (but not obligated) to read part or all of what they wrote during the session. We will conclude with time for crosstalk and feedback.
Both new and experienced writers are welcome. Recommended for ages 16 and up. We encourage you to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time.
Registration is required at WomenWriting.org. $25 for Taft members; $35 for non-members. Registration is required at WomenWriting.org. Includes admission to special exhibitions and the museum’s collection galleries. Please note: The Taft cannot process refunds for this program.
Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.
Saturday, November 2
12–2 p.m.
Join local artist, fashion designer, and owner of RJS Fashion, LLC Rebecca Shakespeare Armstrong for a fashion illustration workshop inspired by Posing Beauty. During this workshop, Armstrong will share her one-of-a-kind creations and help you discover how to express your own fashion sense with stencils, patterns, and watercolors.
Both new and experienced designers are welcome. Recommended for ages 18 and up. We encourage you to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time. Supplies are included.
Registration is required. $25 for Taft members, $35 for non-members. Includes admission to the museum's special exhibitions and collection galleries.
Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.
Friday, November 1
1–4 p.m.**
Join writer, artist, and performer SoL in partnership with musician and visual artist Cleöcrt for a special tour of Posing Beauty, followed by a writing workshop reflecting on personal expressions of beauty.
Both new and experienced writers are welcome. Recommended for ages 18+. We encourage you to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time. Supplies are included.
Registration is required. $5 for members, $20 for non-members. Includes admission to special exhibitions and the museum’s collection galleries.
Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.
**Please note, this event was originally listed to occur from 5:30–6:30 p.m., and is now from 1–4 p.m.
Friday, November 15
11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Join artist Asha White for a fashion-forward tour of Posing Beauty. As a creative leader, White has collaborated on several high-profile engagements including the 2020 “Black Lives Matter!” street mural in front of Cincinnati City Hall, designed murals for Elementz Hip Hop, and recently exhibited at the Cincinnati Art Museum, addressing the impact of racism on the mental health of the Black community. During this tour, White will share her unique artistic perspective on the historical and contemporary African American fashion seen in the exhibition.
Reservations are required. Admission is free for Taft members, guests of members with guest pass, military, and youth (17 and under); $15 for adults; $12 for seniors. Save on tickets when you buy online. Includes admission to special exhibitions and the museum’s collection galleries.
Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.
Thursday, December 11
11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Hear from the installing curator of Posing Beauty, Tamera Lenz Muente! During this expert-led tour, discover the process behind mounting an exhibition in both the Fifth Third Gallery, integrating the interpretation and display of the works in the collection galleries, and glean a first-hand account from one of the few people who works hands-on with traveling exhibitions.
Reservations are required. Admission is free for Taft members, guests of members with guest pass, military, and youth (17 and under); $15 for adults; $12 for seniors. Save on tickets when you buy online. Includes admission to special exhibitions and the museum’s collection galleries.
Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.
Every Second Sunday
1–3 p.m.
Use senses like touch and hearing to experience the museum's collection and exhibition gallery spaces with our specially trained educators. Tools like 3-D printed reproductions, fabric samples, and soundscapes offer a new multi-sensory adventure at the Taft.
This is a FREE event! No registration required. This program is developed specially for visitors with low or no vision, but all guests are invited to participate.
Questions? Contact education@taftmuseum.org.
Special thanks to Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired for providing the 3-D reproductions.
Posing Beauty in African American Culture is curated by Deborah Willis
and organized by Curatorial Exhibitions, Pasadena, California.
Support for this 2024 FotoFocus Biennial exhibition was provided in part by FotoFocus.
Posing Beauty in African American Culture is part of the 2024 FotoFocus Biennial: backstories.
The FotoFocus Biennial, now in its seventh iteration, activates over 100 projects at museums, galleries, universities, and public spaces across Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Northern Kentucky in October 2024. Each Biennial is structured around a unifying theme; the 2024 theme, backstories, focuses on stories that are not evident at first glance. They offer context for what happened previously or out of view, providing narratives not yet told or presented from a new perspective. Once told, they shed light on current circumstances and events.
FotoFocus welcomes global artists, curators, critics, educators, and visitors to Cincinnati with exhibitions, talks, performances, screenings, and panel discussions during its Opening Program Weekend, September 26–September 28, 2024.
Exhibition Sponsor
Elizabeth & Paul Sittenfeld
Exhibition Support Generously Provided By
Ellen and George Rieveschl Endowment
Warrington Exhibition Endowment
Chellgren Family Endowment
Sallie Robinson Wadsworth Endowment for Exhibitions
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