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Black History Month at the Museum

February 6, 2025
Programs
3 minute read

Learn more about our programs celebrating Black voices this February.

February is Black History Month—a time to celebrate the achievements, artistry, and lasting impact of Black individuals throughout history and the present. At the Crocker, we honor this legacy all year round by showcasing the creativity, resilience, and cultural contributions of Black artists.

Learn more about February programs highlighting Black voices.

Artist Workshop with Robert Simmons

Sunday, February 2 • SOLD OUT


Come together for an inspiring afternoon of drawing, guided by renowned local artist Robert Simmons. Visit the Third Floor for an up-close look at Simmons’s work In My Skin, then head to the studio for an artist demonstration and a hands-on exploration of the artist's creative process. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from a master and create your own art! Advance registration is required. Supplies are included in the class fee.

Sketch Night

Thursday, February 6 • SOLD OUT


Sketch your way through the Museum’s permanent collection in this fun and engaging evening focused on Black artists in California. Informal instruction and some supplies provided. All levels are welcome!

Wee Wednesday

Wednesday, February 12 • 10:30 and 11 AM • FREE for members, FREE with admission for nonmembers


Bring your child to this fun story time and gallery adventure for children ages 3 to 5. Children engage with a different work of art through dialogue and interactions that encourage visual literacy, social-emotional skills, creative confidence, and museum familiarity. This month, kiddos will have a hands-on lesson inspired by Black artist Adia Millet’s Shelter.

ArtMix: Sweethearts

Thursday, February 13 • 6 – 9 PM • FREE for members, $25 nonmembers


Grab your valentine or palentine, or come looking for love at ArtMix: Sweethearts⁠. DIY valentines, local chocolate tastings, and speed-dating sprints fill out the evening’s bouquet. Enjoy burlesque and cabaret-style performances and join the Cupid Shuffle to the beats of DJ Hustle at this ArtMix made for love. Poster art is by Dwight Head.

We’re thrilled to welcome Celebration Arts for a special preview of their upcoming performances. During the program, they’ll share dynamic performances that may include spoken word elements. Celebration Arts is renowned for providing opportunities in theater, dance, and music, offering a platform for performers to shine. Their annual theater season highlights award-winning Black playwrights, bringing the richness of the Black experience to the stage. Don’t miss this inspiring showcase!

Hand Building with Clay: Slab Techniques

February 15 & 16 • 12 – 4 PM • $165 members, $180 nonmembers


Delve into the art of handbuilding in this engaging, hands-on clay class. Examine the sculptural forms on view in Collidoscope: de la Torres Brothers Retro-Perspective, then head to the studio to bring your own artistic vision to life using the slab technique. Return at a later date to pick up your completed, fired pieces. This class is taught by Tasha Reneé, a Black artist regionally renowned for her mastery of clay and her involvement with the Crocker studio program. Advance registration required. Supplies, firing fees, and transport costs are included in the class fee.

Homeschool Day

Thursday, February 20 • 12 – 2 PM • $3 per person • All supplies are included


Explore the Crocker with a Museum experience designed specifically for homeschool students and parents. This drop-in program allows groups to structure their own experience, at their own pace, in the order they choose, while in community with other homeschoolers.

This month, enrich your Black History Month curriculum with an exploration of the Museum’s collection of work by Black artists, including art by local Sacramento artists Jupiter Lockett, Jessica Wimbley, and Wangari Mathenge. Dive into the many techniques, mediums, and styles used to convey the Black experience.

Global Rhythms: Son Café ft. Dominic Garcia

Thursday, February 27 • 6:30 PM • $25 members, $30 nonmembers, $10 youth


Explore global music and Afro-Cuban beats with Son Café, the brain child of Dominic Garcia, a founding member of Deftones who has dedicated his life to the study and preservation of global percussion techniques. Groove to hand drumming beats and songs that conjure Havana nights and Latin American folk.