“How We Got Over” A History of Black Sacred Music Traditions CELEBRATION! Black History Month 2017
Student Artists: Tiara Contee, Jalen Crymes, Jaelin Jones, Jason Taylor, Kennith Walker | Resident Artist: J’Nell Jordan Produced by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County “How We Got Over” A History of Black Sacred Music Traditions CELEBRATION! Black History Month 2017
Suitland High School Students: Tiara Contee, Jalen Crymes, Jaelin Jones, Jason Taylor, Kennith Walker
Resident Artist: J’Nell Jordan
Statement: The 2017 Black History Month exhibit, entitled “How We Got Over”: A History of Black Sacred Music Traditions, draws its title from the lyrics to the 1950s gospel classic “How I Got Over.” This song has been recorded by Clara Ward, Aretha Franklin, and most famously, gospel legend Mahalia Jackson, who performed this song at the 1963 March on Washington. The song’s lyrics and this historic 1963 performance emphasize the important role sacred music has played within the black community as a source and reflection of strength and faith in the midst of oppression. The artwork for 2017’s Black History Month Poster was created by students from Suitland High School who participated in the inaugural M-NCPPC Black History Program Visual Arts Summer Internship. Over the course of this six-week program, the students visited various sites in Prince George’s County as well as other sites in the Washington, D.C., region to learn about local black history. The students also attended lectures and participated in activities that focused on the theme of this year’s Black History Month exhibit: black sacred music. The final design combines the individual art pieces from these five students and reflects the lessons learned over the course of the internship.
Top Lef t: Jason Taylor This art piece includes musical notes drawn from multiple arrangements of African American spirituals floating over an image of the African continent, highlighting the West African roots of black sacred music in the Americas.
Top Right: Jaelin Jones This art piece was inspired by the well known African American spiritual, “Wade in the Water.” It juxtaposes an early 20th century image of African Americans participating in a baptismal ceremony with an image of Mahalia Jackson, a legendary gospel performer and an icon of American music.
Center: Jalen Crymes This art piece displays a group of people passionately singing with their faces towards the sky. The power of their voices is breaking a huge grey dome over their heads, revealing the sun. The overall message of this image is one of unity and hope through music, which is able to tear down metaphorical and literal boundaries.
Bottom Lef t: Kennith Walker This art piece combines images taken from a variety of 19th century prints and engravings. These images represent a number of subjects and themes related to black sacred music such as slavery, religion, struggle, music, dance, and hope.
Bottom Right: Tiara Contee This art piece features an image of jazz and blues legend Billie Holiday. Through this musical icon, this piece emphasizes the important role of African American women as musicians. It also highlights the links between secular music and sacred music, which continually borrow from one another.
Produced by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, with support from The Maryland State Arts Council