Sac State student Ernesto Valenzuela shares more about what he learned working with the Museum's Education and Curatorial departments.
During my time at the Crocker Art Museum, I explored the richness and diversity of Black artistic contributions throughout California's history, particularly the importance of dialogue and camaraderie between different generations of artists. Through my research, I found a significant relationship between the future exhibition, Black Artists in California (working title)—which will open in late 2026—and the artworks showcased in the Museum’s current exhibition, Black Artists in America: From Civil Rights to the Bicentennial. Throughout history, there is an intergenerational bridge wherein past artists have influenced future generations to take charge of their narrative.
This dialogue between past and present generations is explored in Black Artists in America and furthered by the poetic responses to the artwork in the exhibition written by students from across Sacramento for a project organized in conjunction with Shonna McDaniels, the Founder and Director of the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum. One example that I found especially moving was the relationship between Romare Bearden’s collage Mother and Child and a poem written by student Naiyonah Allen (Allen, age 23, attends Florida A&M University), which hangs next to the artwork in the gallery.
Bearden’s cut-paper and photographic collage captures an intimate moment of a motherly figure protectively wrapping her arm around the child, helping redefine the image and narrative of Black familyhood. Bearden illustrates a profound and fleeting moment in time through his choice of contrasting colors, shapes, patterns, and textures. The connection between the mother and child comes alive through Allen's poem, The Black Madonna:
THE BLACK MADONNA
I see you mommy
I watch and I see everything that you do
I see you loving you
In return I will love me
Your head is held so high
That nothing will ever make it go down
Your feet are solidly planted on this ground
You're so elegant and graceful
I'm so grateful
I see you mommy
I watch and I see everything that you do
I see you loving you
In return I will love me!!!
The artworks in the exhibition and the poems that accompany them reflect the rich tapestry of Black life and culture and assert a narrative of self-love, appreciation, and respect, revealing a deep level of understanding that the current generation has for previous generations.
Bridging the original artwork with the student’s interpretation of Mother and Child allowed me to deeply reflect on the portrayal of a mother’s love, stability, grace, and elegance, not only for herself but also for her child. By exploring the artwork and poetry, I felt a personal connection to the artist’s empowerment in shaping the narrative of a parent passing on their love to their child. When given the opportunity to ask Shonna McDaniels about her response to the project, she shared with me that for her, “Black poetry expresses the rhythms and harmonies of the universe and is in tune with the oneness of the creator. And when I look into the universe the creator reminds me my Black is Beautiful!”
Black Artists in America is more than just an exhibition to me—it is a testament to the unwavering spirit of Black artists in the United States. When given the opportunity to write a blog post reflecting on my research in connection to Black Artists in California and Black Artists in America, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to do justice to the depth of their work. It was through this journey that I experienced each artist’s story unfold in front of me, each chapter helping me connect past and present generational experiences. In the end, writing about the exhibitions was about honoring the artist’s ability to tell a story, celebrating their creativity, and acknowledging their invaluable contributions to art and culture.
Ernesto Valenzuela is a senior at Sacramento State University, where he is majoring in Design Studies. His interest in design, art, and curation has guided his education and professional journey. In fall 2023, he began working with the Crocker’s Curatorial and Education departments for a hands-on schoool program, conducting research on various exhibitions, meeting with artists, and exploring the Museum’s programs and resources. He is passionate about art, art education, and its accessibility to others. He is influenced by the modern art movement while holding a special interest in how art has influenced and shaped culture.
Image Credit: Romare Bearden (American, 1911–1988), Mother and Child, 1968. Mixed media on board, 39 7/8 x 29 7/8 in. Crocker Art Museum Purchase, 1973.24 © Romare Bearden Foundation/ Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.