Celebrating the Black Experience
Celebrating the Black Experience
The fifth annual Celebrating the Black Experience touring art exhibit, presented by the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage (KCAAH), includes mostly Kentucky artists, and some from Indiana, Florida, Massachusetts, Benin and Zimbabwe. Media includes acrylic and oil paintings, fiber art, textiles, drawings, and mixed media work with innovative materials.
Through a partnership with the Kentucky Arts Council, 23 participating artists have allowed their works to travel from July 2026 to January 2027. Kentuckians all over are invited to explore this outstanding collection, be inspired by it, and join in celebrating the Black experience.
Celebrating the Black Experience brings together a diverse cohort of artists whose work explores identity, memory, spirituality, resilience, and cultural continuity across the African Diaspora. The exhibition reflects a wide spectrum of artistic expression rooted in lived experience and collective history.
Exhibit Schedule
July 1-Aug. 1, 2026
The Kentucky Museum at Western Kentucky University
1472 Kentucky St.
Bowling Green, Ky.
Wed.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Central
Artist talk on Thursday, July 30, 5:30 p.m. Central, doors open at 5, featuring Kenneth Burney and Kim Dixon, presented by Alice Gatewood Waddell.
Aug. 5-30, 2026
Hazard Community and Technical College, Stephens Library
1 Community College Drive
Hazard, Ky.
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern
Artist talk on Thur., Aug. 27, 5:30 p.m. Eastern, featuring Larry Humphrey, presented by Emily Hudson.
Sept. 2-27, 2026
Kentucky State University, Blazer Library
400 E. Main St.
Frankfort, Ky.
Mon.-Thur. 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sun. 2-9 p.m. Eastern
Sept. 30-Oct. 31, 2026
444 Chestnut St.
Berea, Ky.
Wed.-Fri. noon-5:30 p.m., Sat.10 a.m.-3 p.m. Eastern
Reception Friday, Oct. 2, 5:30 p.m. Eastern, with artist talk at 6:15 p.m. featuring Debra Harley and Kenneth Burney, presented by Aaron Banther.
Nov. 5-29, 2026
Kenton County Public Library, Erlanger Branch
401 Kenton Lands Road
Erlanger, Ky.
Mon.-Thur. 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m. Eastern
Artist talk on Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m. Eastern, featuring Kim Dixon.
Dec. 9, 2026-Jan. 15, 2027
Murray Tourism, Convention and Visitors Bureau
206 S. 4th St.
Murray, Ky.
Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Central
Gallery
About the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage
KCAAH aims to enhance public knowledge about the history, heritage, and cultural contributions of African Americans in Kentucky and the African Diaspora. In addition to preserving the traditions and accomplishments of the past, the Center serves as a vital, contemporary institution that provides space for exhibitions and performances of all types.