1619, 1776 & The Idea of America

A special event will be held at the historic Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library celebrating ten artist's contributions to the themes of Freedom and Resistance, prominently featured in The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience; the connected history of 1619 to the District of Columbia and the work of young artists in the District inspired by The 1619 Project.

This exclusive after-hours event will feature dance and musical performances, spoken word, lightning talks, and artist conversations with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of The 1619 Project Nikole Hannah-Jones. Doors open at 6:30pm with exclusive opportunity to meet the artists inspired by The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience and its themes of Freedom and Resistance. 

As the nation prepares to commemorate its 250th birthday, this exhibition insists on a fuller reckoning of history. One that places 1619 at the beginning of the American story and asks how the arrival of enslaved Africans on the Virginia coastline reshaped the Idea of America itself.