Woodson Museum celebrates grand reopening with Smithsonian exhibit

The Woodson African American Museum of Florida is one of three state organizations to present a signature Smithsonian exhibit, opening July 11 at 12 p.m.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After being closed for renovations since January, the Woodson African American Museum of Florida will reopen on July 11 at 12 p.m. with a special Smithsonian exhibit to celebrate its 20th anniversary and America’s 250th.

The Woodson Museum is one of only three Florida art organizations chosen to present “Many Voices… One Nation – Our Community,” which is a signature exhibition of Smithsonian’s America 250 Commemoration. This project is a collaborative effort by Florida Humanities, Smithsonian Museum on Main Street, and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

“Many Voices… One Nation – Our Community” connects national history with the people, places, and defining aspects of the local region, through Smithsonian resources and locally curated content, the city of St. Petersburg said in a press release.

“The exhibition celebrates the diverse people who built our nation, from those who were here first, to those who came seeking opportunity, and those brought here by force,” the release reads.

The Woodson’s grand reopening was originally planned for July 3, but was postponed because of ongoing construction. 

Funding for the Woodson’s presentation is provided by Florida Humanities, Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, the City of St. Petersburg, Duke Energy, Orlando Health, the Parallel Foundation, and Legendary Lens Multimedia.

Najee Dorsey, an acclaimed artist, curator, and Black Art in America founder, is anchoring the exhibit with a new, mixed-media monumental mural. St. Petersburg-based artist, Dallas Jackson, will also have original paintings featured in the exhibit.

Founded in 2006, the Woodson Museum spotlights diverse work by African American artists. The organization preserves, presents, interprets and celebrates the history and culture of people with African ancestry, according to the museum website.

“Through innovative exhibitions, educational programming, and community engagement, The Woodson inspires dialogue, preserves cultural heritage, and advances understanding for future generations,” the museum’s bio reads.

Admission to the event and the Smithsonian exhibit is free.