Once the ribbon was cut, you would have been hard-pressed to find a frown at the old Coleman School. Many years of anticipation concluded on Saturday, as the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) was finally unveiled to a touring crowd of several hundred. For the handful of those working relentlessly behind the scenes, the day arrived as somewhat of a relief.
For nearly 30 years the idea to erect a museum devoted to the African American community has been tossed around in many forms. It was not until 2003 - when the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle purchased the school from the Seattle School District - when the idea became a feasible reality.
"Having [the museum] finally open up serves as a reminder to all of us that we can get these things accomplished," said Barbara Earl Thomas, who serves as the NAAM's deputy director and curator of programs. "We've all been working 24-7 for the last three months. The energies now can all be focused on what the future can hold for us."
Thomas says that the last few months were a bit hectic, for the NAAM's team of seven. Understandably so, as the idea of transforming the Coleman School into the Pacific Northwest's only African American museum was originally conceived in 1981. The Seattle School District closed the Coleman School for good in 1985, and shortly thereafter the museum concept began in earnest.
The 19,000-square-foot museum occupies the bottom floor of the old school. It pays homage to those in the Washington, Oregon and Idaho area who are of African descent. The remainder of the building houses 36 mixed-income rental units and the NAAM's administration offices.
Ribbon cutting day
The celebration began at 11 a.m. on Saturday, with an invocation by Mount Zion Baptist Church's former pastor, Rev. Sam McKinney. Carver C. Gayton, Ph.D., the museum's executive director, then welcomed in the hundreds of supporters to explore the grounds. Among those who were in attendance were local artists, former NBA players and a slew of politicians including; Mayor Greg Nickels, King County Executive Ron Sims, Councilmember Larry Phillips, Governor Christine Gregoire, U.S. Representative Jim McDermott and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell.
"The opening really sets a president for other non-profit organizations," said Thomas. "The Seattle Art Museum, MOHAI and Frye [Art Museum] all have different visions. Our opening can serve as hope for other organizations who want to get their vision out in the public."
Saturday's tour began at the entrance to the indoor artists' workroom (one of two), where visitors were greeted by the sound of African drumming and the scent of freshly-dried paint. The tour continued on through the multimedia learning room, equipped with a cluster of internet-ready computers, historical artifacts and volumes of African American literature within easy grasp.
Adjacent to the workrooms is a long, lean hallway - The Journey Gallery - which serves as a living memorial to the founders of the Pacific Northwest's African American community. Images, timelines and interactive exhibits dating back to 1790 crowd the wall space, leaving no historical stone unturned.
With a short step to the right, the Northwest Gallery opens up to boast the museum's current hallmark pieces of artwork from legendary African American artists Jacob Lawrence and James Washington Jr. A massive Lawrence mural adorns the gallery's far wall - 1979's Games (Kingdome Mural) stands 9-foot by 18-foot, blending porcelain enamel and steel - as the gallery's cornerstone.
In all, the museum features three galleries: The Journey Gallery, the Northwest Gallery and a supplementary Multi-Purpose Gallery. The Lawrence/Washington Jr. exhibit will be on display through February 18, 2009. For now "East by Northwest" - an exhibit dedicated to East African immigrants - is the only exhibit on the calendar for the future, though the NAAM says many others are in the works.
"The art exhibits are not permanent," said Thomas, who is not only an artist herself, but has served as the director of Bumbershoot and marketing manager for Elliott Bay Book Company. "The gallery will be a living space for new artwork and exhibits down the road."
Though the day was filled with rejoicing and excitement, it was not without controversy. Kwame Garrett, a local activist, shouted in protest as the crowd awaited the start of the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The son of Omari-Tahir Garrett - who once lobbied in the mid-1980s that the Coleman School should be renovated for a museum - could not deflect the day's positive momentum, as his remarks were received with boos. Garrett was later arrested.
"[Saturday] was such a great day for all of us in the community," said Thomas. "This is not a static institution; it is here to stay for good."
For more information on the Northwest African American Museum visit naamnw.org. The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday and located at 2300 S. Massachusetts St.
Joshua Sabrowsky may be reached via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.
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