African museum in St. Paul gives local Black artists a platform

“Voices of Freedom: Creative Journeys Toward Belonging” is a multidisciplinary group art exhibition on view at the African Museum, Arts & Cultural Center (678 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, MN) through September 10. Photo: Binta Kanteh

For emerging Black artists in Minnesota, getting their work seen can be one of the hardest steps in building a career. In St. Paul, the African Museum, Arts, and Cultural Center (AMACC)  is working to make that step easier by giving local artists space to exhibit their work, tell their stories, and connect with new opportunities.

The St. Paul museum, which opened last August as part of Little Africa Plaza on Snelling Avenue, is marking its first year with a series of rotating exhibitions, including its current show, Voices of Freedom. It features four artists—Maya Washington, Bianca Rhodes, Zakaria Abdullahi and Mounisha Gorle—whose art speaks to their journeys of belonging in America. 

The exhibit’s curator, Nimo H. Farah, says her role was to weave together the different interpretations of belonging into an exhibition where the stories flow into one another. 

“The biggest thing you can give to anybody is the space for self-expression,” Farah said. 

Voices of Freedom is a multidisciplinary experience. The featured artists responded to the museum’s open call and were chosen by a selection committee to submit artwork that range from photography, varied paint mediums, video and poetry. 

Nimo Farah, curator of Voices of Freedom, at the exhibit’s opening night at the African Museum, Arts, and Cultural Center in St. Paul. Photo: Wasima Farah

The museum emerged out of a need identified by the African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS) AEDS for a permanent place for African communities in Minnesota to connect to their heritage through arts. 

“Pan African artists, Black artists are here and they're talented,” said Jalene Burka, AEDS’s Director of  Communication, Advancement, and Museum. “I want to make sure that their voices are heard through their work and that they grow beyond this place. When an emerging artist exhibits or works with us, hopefully that puts them in a spotlight where they can get support elsewhere, resources, and connections. I want the art scene to notice the artists that are here, to put value to their work, and provide them opportunities that they deserve.” 

Local painter and experimental filmmaker, Wasima Farah, recently joined the AEDS team as the Museum Program Coordinator and Small Business Marketing Specialist. In addition to building out the museum program, Farah works alongside Burka to bridge existing gaps between local Black businesses and local artists who can channel their talents into marketing. 

“AEDS is trying to bridge that gap between arts and culture and businesses, and seeing how to make St. Paul a more brighter and vibrant place, especially for Black businesses,” Farah said. 

She says that the pace of the museum’s programs in its first year comes from the momentum of artists and museum goers asking for more. 

“There's so much work to do and there's a lot of passion for it,” Farah said. “It shows from the community, they're seeking this, and it shows from the people that come to the exhibits.”

Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the timing of the exhibit was made to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

The exhibit “Voices of Freedom” closes on September 10.