Charley Williams’ Winter Park-based collection spans the twentieth century and moves into the twenty-first. Because it focuses on African, Haitian, and African American art, it provides audiences with the opportunity to explore pan-African ideas that manifest themselves into the lives of three different places. Focusing on power, myth, and memory, we have that ability to see the importance of ritualistic ideas such as the “dream-soul,” animals as mediators, religious rituals, burial practices, and the importance of ancestors.

Included are works by Sister Gertrude Morgan, Clementine Hunter, David Butler, Ransom McCormick, Roi David Annisey, and Nellie Mae Rowe, as well as historic African masks, chairs, and fertility objects. These artists lift themselves up through faith, pride, and traditional practices thereby establishing diverse ways of transcending subjugation and finding strength. This artwork has extraordinary technical, historical, and symbolic weight that deserves the same respect given to traditional, western art.

The panel discussion will include Collector Charley Williams, Curator Kristin Congdon, and Curatorial Advisor and Haitian artist Patrick Noze.

Click here to view the Power, Myth, & Memory exhibition catalog.