WGSAC Annual Black Doll Show

The William Grant Still Arts Center (WGSAC) in Los Angeles is thrilled to announce the Open Call for the 40th Annual Black Doll Show which will be VIRTUAL!

 CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS  -  DEADLINE NOVEMBER 2, 2020

The Black Doll Show at the William Grant Still Arts Center was started in the 1980s by the Friends of William Grant Still Arts Center, with contemporary artist/curator Cecil Fergerson (1931-2013) as its first curator. It was inspired by a doll test conducted by Mamie and Kenneth Clark in the 1940s. The tests concluded that due to social stigmas, many African-American children preferred white dolls over black dolls. This test went on to become evidence in civil rights law suits. The Clarks became expert witnesses in Brown vs. Board of Education, helping to create the landmark decision to desegregate schools. This doll test was conducted again in 2006 by 17 year old filmmaker Kiri Davis, sadly with the same results. The Black Doll Show is an annual winter tradition at WGSAC as positive self image remains just as necessary today for Africans and all people of color within the continent and in diaspora.

#blackdolls #blackdollshow #williamgrantstillartscenter #westadams #communityarts — at William Grant Still Arts Center.