My family has always enjoyed visiting Museums and would attend a lot of times as a #Homeschool Field Trip. I wanted to let you know the AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM; DALLAS UNVEILS TWO FALL EXHIBITIONS – PROTECTING CULTURAL MEMORY AND MORRIS YANGER’S VISUAL THOUGHTS – OPENING SEPT. 18
Just in time for the State Fair of Texas, the Museum is set to feature works by Mr. Imagination alongside a live conservation lab plus an exhibition showcasing more than 35 sculptures and paintings by Morris Yanger
DALLAS (Sept. 18, 2025) – The African American Museum, Dallas in historic Fair Park announces two exhibitions this fall – Protecting Cultural Memory: A Commitment to the Conservation and Protection of the Art and Archives Held in the African American Museum, Dallas and Visual Thoughts: The Visual Language of Morris Yanger. Opening Sept. 18 , the exhibitions highlight the Museum’s dedication to preserving artistic legacies while amplifying the creativity and cultural narratives of African American artists.
“With millions of people coming to Fair Park for the State Fair of Texas, this is a remarkable opportunity to welcome new audiences who may be discovering the Museum for the first time,” said Lisa Brown Ross, president and CEO of the African American Museum. “Protecting Cultural Memory shines a light on the often-unseen work of conservation – the careful preservation that ensures these works of art endure for future generations. At its heart, this exhibition reflects our mission to protect, preserve and share African American heritage in ways that resonate today and tomorrow.”
This fall’s conservation focus builds on the Museum’s recent $3 million grant from the state’s Texas Historical Commission, with additional support from Google, to preserve and digitize its extensive 50-year collection. The funding underscores the Museum’s commitment to safeguarding African American art and history for future generations.
For details on the Museum’s fall exhibition lineup, see below:
PROTECTING CULTURAL MEMORY
A Commitment to the Conservation and Protection of the Art and Archives Held in the African American Museum, Dallas
Sept. 18, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2026
The exhibition is an installation of selected works from the “Fire” exhibition by the late Gregory Warmack, aka “Mr. Imagination” (1948-2012). The exhibition features his works and demonstrates how museums not only present an artist’s works but are also dedicated to preserving them. The Chicago native incorporated recycled objects and found materials in nature to create large-scale sculptures reflecting his own life experiences. One of the early self-taught artists referred to as an “outsider artist,” Mr. Imagination’s work aligns with the Museum’s focus on collecting and preserving Folk and Traditional art.
Utilizing works from the Mr. Imagination Estate, a working conservation lab, supplied with equipment and tools, is installed in this exhibition to demonstrate the level of care taken by skilled conservators when handling works of art.
Museum guests can observe teams of conservators and trained volunteers working on pieces from Mr. Imagination on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. throughout the exhibition schedule.
And at select times during the State Fair Sept. 26-Oct. 19, the Museum’s Imagination Stations will offer children ages 5 to 12 the chance to create “make-it-take-it” folk art projects inspired by the style of Mr. Imagination. Parents should allow about 45 minutes for the visit and activity, which will be available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. in the Museum’s Sankofa Children’s Center.
VISUAL THOUGHTS: THE VISUAL LANGUAGE OF MORRIS YANGER Sept. 18, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2026
Sculptor Morris Yanger (1932- 2022) developed a visual language rooted in improvisation, memory and psychological truth. The exhibition features over 35 sculptures, maquettes and paintings of Yanger’s work. His works embody a balance of structure and spirit, blending his textured expressions of the lived experiences of African Americans creating an expressive cultural narrative. Yanger once remarked that his work was “about making the subconscious visible” – a sentiment that defined much of his artistic inquiry. Though largely working outside of the mainstream art world’s spotlight, Yanger cultivated a practice of rare integrity and soul. His pieces speak across time, offering meditations on Black identity, inner life and the unseen rhythms that shape our world.
Season sponsors of the African American Museum, Dallas, are Visit Dallas, City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture and Texas Commission on the Arts.The African American Museum, Dallas is located at 3536 Grand Ave. in Dallas’ historic Fair Park. Free and open to the public, the museum is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. NOTE: Free self-parking is available in nearby lots.
STATE FAIR HOURS. During the State Fair of Texas (Sept. 26-Oct. 19, 2025), the Museum will open daily from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Visitors must purchase State Fair admission and parking to gain access to the museum.
For more information, go to aamdallas.org or call214-565-9026. For the latest updates, follow the Museum on Instagram and Facebook.
About the African American Museum, Dallas.
The African American Museum, Dallas was founded in 1974 as part of Bishop College. The Museum has operated independently since 1979. For more than 50 years, the African American Museum has stood as a cultural beacon in Dallas and the Southwestern United States. Located in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, the Africain American Museum is the only museum in the Southwestern United States devoted to the collection, preservation and display of Africain American artistic Fair Park, the Africain American Museum in the only museum in the Southwestern United States devoted to the collection, preservation and display of African American artistic.
The African American Museum incorporates a wide variety of visual art forms and historical documents that portray the African American experience in the United States, Southwest, and Dallas. The Museum has a small, but rich collection of African art, African American fine art and one of the largest African American folk-art and decorative art collections in the United States. Learn more at aamdallas.org.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
