Mazza Museum Celebrates Black History Month With New Exhibit

The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum is celebrating February as “Black History Month” with a special exhibit in the Catherine Freed Galleria.

“All of the illustrations depict true stories of African Americans who defied expectations, broke barriers, and shaped our shared history,” said Dan Chudzinski, director of the Mazza Museum.

Among the artwork is a piece by illustrator Cheryl Hannah, from The Story of Stagecoach Mary Fields, depicting the first African American woman to carry the U.S. mail, fighting off bandits, wolves, and harsh weather – and she never missed a day of work.

Another piece on display is by illustrator Frank Morrison, from the book How Do You Spell Unfair? about MacNolia Cox, the first African American to win the Akron Spelling Bee and compete as a finalist in the National Spelling Bee. The illustration also features championship boxer Joe Louis and Gold medal track star Jesse Owens.

Also part of the exhibit is an illustration by Laura Freeman from Hidden Figures, telling the story of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, the African- American mathematicians who helped NASA send the first person into space and assisted in the Apollo 11 moon landing.

“These masterfully rendered illustrations serve as the focal points for incredible, true stories that will continue to resonate with our visitors long after they leave the museum,” Chudzinski noted.

Free and open to the public, the Mazza Museum’s hours are Wednesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information on upcoming events, visit mazzamuseum.org.

Artwork pictured above: illustration by Laura Freeman from Hidden Figures