Baldwin express Black history through art

More than 50 Baldwin students had the opportunity to submit artwork for an exhibit dedicated to Black History Month at the African History Museum of Nassau County last February.

The Baldwin School district said they are the first school district to launch a partnership with the African American History Museum of Nassau County, to allow students to display their artwork in an exhibit dedicated to Black History Month, which was on display for the entire month of February. The artwork went up on an opening night ceremony in early February, to commemorate the students and their work. Over 100 Baldwin community members were in attendance to see the exhibit unveiled.

“The program was meant to have students from every grade on the secondary level connect art and history together, while also reflecting on the importance of celebrating black trailblazers,” explained Gabriella Franza, Baldwin High School assistant director of instructional programs. “Black History Month is more than just a month, and this was an opportunity for students to show their reflections through any medium or creative expression they wanted. I am truly proud to witness these young artists at work.”

Students from grades sixth to twelfth grade participated as solo and group artists, and submitted artwork in the forms of graphic design pieces, paintings and sculptures to express what Black History Month meant to them. 

Students like Briana Thompson, Baldwin Middle School eighth grader and member of the school’s very first Competition Speech and Debate-Pre Academy, and Neuville Brown, a Baldwin High School sophomore, member of the Youth Change Leader Collaborative, and president of the Lakeview Youth Council, spoke about what the month meant to them at the opening gala.

In addition, a representative from the African American History Museum of Nassau County, Monet Green, also spoke at the opening, and thanked the Baldwin students for their contributions. In early March, the school district said the exhibit was then moved to Baldwin High School for visitors to continually enjoy, as they said they recognize that “Black history” is more than just a month.