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Amplifying Voices: Carol Rhodes-Dyson - Curator of Reginald F. Lewis Museum | Showcasing African American Art, Curatorial Representation, and Uplifting Underrepresented Artists

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter
The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter
Episode • Feb 2, 2022 • 51m

Join us on 'The Truth in This Art' as we explore the beauty and complexity of art in all its forms, with your guide, Rob Lee. For today’s episode, we have Carol Rhodes-Dyson, the curator of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and her passion for promoting and amplifying the voices of artists of color is evident in her work. With significant curatorial experience gained through Busboys and Poets, she has organized and co-curated various exhibitions, including #Migration61 with the Phillips Collection and Implicit Bias with the Joan Hisaoka Smith Healing Arts Gallery. Carol's dedication to showcasing African American art and diverse perspectives within the black community shines through her impressive portfolio of curated works.


ABOUT BUSBOYS AND POETS

Busboys and Poets is a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted… a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul… a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide… we believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.

ABOUT Reginald F. Lewis Museum

The Lewis Museum, the largest African American museum in Maryland, has been the authentic voice of Maryland African American history and culture since it opened in 2005. We tell our story through our permanent collection, special exhibitions, educational programs and public events.


In this installment:

  • Carol Rhodes Dyson's passion for art and black artists was sparked during her time at the Art Institute, where she delved into the work of black artists through research and exploration.
  • The future of curatorial representation lies in embracing alternative spaces to highlight diverse voices and leveraging online platforms for promotion and organizing exhibitions.
  • The presentation context of historical material depicting African Americans holds immense significance in shaping its impact and relevance.
  • As a black curator, Carol Rhodes Dyson sees her role as empowering and uplifting underrepresented artists, turning her identity into a source of pride and a platform for giving voice to marginalized talents.


You won't want to skip this one! Carol shares her journey into the world of art and how she became a curator. She discusses the importance of representation and the need to amplify the voices of artists of color. Carol also talks about her thesis exhibition, "Creative Alchemy: The Common Source of Art and Science," and the surprising connections she discovered between art, science, and spirituality. She reflects on the Robert Houston exhibition and the power of photography in telling stories and capturing the black gaze. Carol emphasizes the importance of context when dealing with historical material that depicts African Americans and discusses the role of a black curator in promoting diverse voices in the art world.


Mentioned in this episode
Reginald F. Lewis Museum

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

  • Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
  • Edited by Daniel Alexis
  • Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

  • Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
  • Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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