For the 33rd annual exhibition of Black Dolls, curators Dale Guy Madison and Cheryl Williams have chosen to place handmade and collectible dolls in a virtual rain forest that will transform the galleries into a jungle-like setting for this year’s theme “Dolls Gone Wild.” Dolls that reflect the wilderness – the ocean, the avian bird life, and inspired by animal print in general – will be displayed as you step into the “jungle” of dolls.

The yearly tradition at the William Grant Still Arts Center will open on Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 3-6pm. The display of dolls will run from December 14 until February 8, 2014.

EVENTS

Opening Concert 

Saturday, December 14 from 3-6pm

The opening will include a live concert by Marcus Miller’s Project World Drum, an animal themed dance performance from the Lula Washington Dance Theatre and a live performance from Dale Guy Madison. To add to the setting at the opening on December 14th, everyone is encouraged to wear something that features animal print!

Doll-Making Workshops

Saturdays 12/21, 1/11, 1/18 2-4pm

Learn and practice doll-making at three Saturday doll-making workshops on December 21, January 11, and January 18 taught by doll artists and community members Ann Martine (12/21), Cynthia Davis (1/11) and Cheryl Williams and Dale Guy Madison (1/18). 

HISTORY

The Black Doll Show at the William Grant Still Arts Center was started in 1980 by the Friends of William Grant Still Arts Center, with artist Cecil Fergerson (1931-2013) as its first curator.  The Black Doll Show at the Center is the longest-running display of Black Dolls in Los Angeles, with collectors and doll artists returning time and time again to offer dolls from their collections that fit with the year’s theme.