![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rollcallBMA-29-scaled.jpg\" "\\"BMA")
Roll Call is the brainchild of Jade Powers, Hugh Kaul Curator of Contemporary Art at the BMA. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\nSponsored<\/p>\n
Roll Call is the brainchild of Jade Powers, Hugh Kaul Curator of Contemporary Art at the BMA. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n
On Saturday, September 26, the Birmingham Museum of Art<\/a>\u00a0(BMA) will unveil a landmark new exhibit called Roll Call: Two Hundred Years of Black American Art<\/a>. Comprised of 99 works by 87 Black American artists dating back to the 19th century, Roll Call affirms the presence, impact, and legacy of Black artists within the Birmingham Museum of Art\u2019s collection\u2014just as the BMA celebrates its 75th anniversary.<\/p>\n We got a sneak peek at the new exhibition ahead of its grand opening on Saturday, September 26. <\/p>\n About Roll Call: Two Hundred Years of Black American Art <\/p>\n After nearly two years of planning, the Birmingham Museum of Art is ready to roll out a brand-new exhibition celebrating 200 years of Black American art. Spanning two centuries, the exhibition\u00a0is a look at both Black American art and the story of how those works became part of the Birmingham Museum of Art\u2019s permanent collection.<\/p>\n \u201cWe began planning and organizing this exhibition two years ago. When we first started we were looking at flat files that hadn\u2019t yet been framed; it\u2019s amazing to see the work our team has done to bring these works from flat files to the display-ready frames we see today.\u201d<\/p>\n Jade Powers, Hugh Kaul Curator of Contemporary Art, Birmingham Museum of Art<\/p>\n According to BMA Interim Director and CEO Chantal Drake, the exhibition is comprised entirely of works from the BMA\u2019s permanent collection, which totals more than 30,000 one-of-a-kind works of art. Since 1971, the BMA has collected more than 1,000 works by Black artists; Roll Call is an opportunity to see works from across that collection, including pieces that have rarely\u2014or never\u2014been on display before. <\/p>\n \u201cThe BMA has strived to be a museum that reflects our community, and Roll Call is the first exhibiton that we\u2019ve had comprised only of our collection and of Black Artists. The first work in the exhibition was acquired in 1971, and we\u2019ve been very intentional about our collection practices in the 55 years since. We\u2019re very excited to show the community that this is something we\u2019re committed to, and we can\u2019t wait to see the community response.\u201d<\/p>\n Chantal Drake, Interim Director and CEO, Birmingham Museum of Art<\/p>\n According to exhibition curator Jade Powers, Roll Call: Two Hundred Years of Black American Art is divided into four sections:<\/p>\n The Ground We Stand On explores the BMA\u2019s\u00a0early acquisitions of\u00a0Black American art, beginning with its\u00a0first work in\u00a01971.<\/p>\n In the Heart\u00a0of It All hghlights Birmingham and\u00a0Alabama\u2019s role in\u00a0Black American art\u00a0and creativity.<\/p>\n Ujima: Collective Work\u00a0and Responsibility celebrates the advocates, supporters and donors\u00a0who helped grow\u00a0the BMA\u2019s collection.<\/p>\n What Freedom Feels Like explores how artists\u00a0express identity, freedom\u00a0and possibility through\u00a0their work.<\/p>\n \u201cRoll Call: Two Hundred Years of Black American Art highlights the BMA\u2019s permanent collection through two lenses. The first \u2018lens\u2019 is about the work of Black American artists, and the second \u2018lens\u2019 is about how those works entered the BMA\u2019s permanent collection. Both of these threads entertwine to tell the story that is Roll Call.\u201d<\/p>\n Jade Powers, Hugh Kaul Curator of Contemporary Art, Birmingham Museum of Art<\/p>\n Roll Call: Two Hundred Years of Black American Art opens on Saturday, Sept. 26<\/p>\n Ready to check out Roll Call: Two Hundred Years of Black American Art? The new exhibit opens to the public Saturday, Sept. 26, and will remain on view through Jan. 17, 2027. The BMA is also offering extended hours on Thursdays throughout the run of the exhibition, giving visitors an opportunity to check it out after the traditional workday.<\/p>\n Visit the Birmingham Museum of Art website to learn more about Roll Call: Two Hundred Years of Black American Art and ticket options<\/a>. <\/p>\n P.S. Museum members will receive a 50% discount on exhibition tickets.<\/p>\n Planning to check out Roll Call: Two Hundred Years of Black American Art at the BMA? Tag us @bhamnow<\/a> to let us know!<\/p>\n \t\t![\"Gallery](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rollcallBMA-24-scaled.jpg\")
From quilts and\u00a0sculptures to paintings\u00a0and photography,\u00a0Roll Call\u00a0showcases the range\u00a0of Black American\u00a0art in\u00a0the BMA\u2019s permanent\u00a0collection. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n![\"Gallery](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rollcallBMA-18-scaled.jpg\" "\\"BMA")
The BMA\u2019s permanent\u00a0collection includes more\u00a0than 1,000 works by\u00a0Black artists, with\u00a0some making their\u00a0public debut in\u00a0Roll Call. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n![\"Gallery](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/rollcallBMA-9-scaled.jpg\" "\\"BMA")
After nearly two\u00a0years of planning,\u00a0Roll Call\u00a0is ready to\u00a0welcome the Birmingham community. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n