Journey to Wakanda with the Friends of African American Art & Culture

April 26, 2018
The Friends of African American Art & Culture (FAAAC) brings the cinematic experience of Black Panther to the Columbia Museum of Art on Friday, May 4, 2018. The evening kicks off with a brief year-in-review followed by an interactive conversation between Marvel Comics illustrator and Benedict College professor Sanford Greene and comic book expert and University of South Carolina professor Dr. Qiana Whitted.

“As a black comic creator, it is especially gratifying to see a film like Black Panther be as successful as it is,” says Greene. “It has broken down doors for many stories to be told with black characters or any characters of color as the main attraction. I’m excited to be a part of this new creative wave!”

Whitted says, “With Black Panther now ranking as one of the highest-grossing movies worldwide, the Marvel film provides a renewed platform for thinking about how art and popular culture imagine black futures — and not necessarily as a perfect, utopian place, but as a space that puts black agency at the center of debates over technology, global leadership, and social justice.”

The journey to Wakanda doesn’t end there. The celebration continues with authentic African cuisine from Mimie’s Delect-A-Bowls, vibranium and heart-shaped herb cocktails, and dancing to the sounds of Afrobeat spun by DJ Preach Jacobs.

The FAAAC is a CMA membership affiliate group inclusive of all genders, ethnicities, and ages brought together by an appreciation for the artistic and cultural contributions of African Americans. The primary mission of the FAAAC is to educate, enrich, and inspire while increasing engagement with members of the community.

$15 / $5 for FAAAC members. Wakanda-inspired attire encouraged. Cash bar.

For more information, visit columbiamuseum.org.

About the CMA   
The Columbia Museum of Art is a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to lifelong learning and community enrichment for all. Located in the heart of downtown Columbia, S.C., the CMA ranks among the leading art institutions in the country and is distinguished by its innovative exhibitions and creative educational programs. At the heart of the CMA and its programs is its collection, which encompasses 7,000 works and spans 5,000 years of art history. Established in 1950, the CMA now welcomes more than 150,000 visitors annually and is a catalyst for community creativity and education, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds. It is the recipient of a National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a National Art Education Association award for its contributions to arts education, a National Park Foundation Award, and two Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Awards for the Arts for outstanding contributions to the arts in South Carolina. In order to serve even more audiences, the CMA is undergoing a transformation funded by a successful capital campaign. Though some sections of the building will be affected during some phases of the work, the CMA remains open throughout renovations. The project is expected to be complete in late 2018. To learn more, visit www.columbiamuseum.org.