Born in 1923, Ashley was raised in the Bronx, NY. Share Your Story Kiosk Visitor Recording ExperienceĪrtist Gallery Exhibit curated by Marcia MinterĪshley Bryan is a celebrated Maine artist and storyteller.

Makerspace Art Studio Activity Inspired by Ashley Bryan Gesture Animation Experience, Visitors Become a Avatar Character in the Beautiful Blackbird Story Introduction to fine artist, author, and illustrator Ashley Bryan Components of Beautiful Blackbird Exhibit: Their efforts to support and promote black authors and illustrators in storytelling for children planted the seed for our collaborative work on this project. The exhibit was inspired by our experience as a partner in Indigo Arts Alliance’s 2020 Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival. Specifically, the Lunder Arts and Culture Gallery on the north side of the building houses the Beautiful Blackbird exhibit. The second floor of the Museum & Theatre’s three-floor complex entails several galleries that focus on arts, culture, and community. The central honoring message of the children’s book Beautiful Blackbird – “Black is Beautiful”–is the beating heart of this project. Storytelling– particularly the call and response nature of traditional storytelling–provides two-way communication and connection.

Honoring our mission and following the leadership of Indigo Arts Alliance, we believe it is critical that children– especially Black and Brown children–experience positive identity development where their lives are valued, represented, and celebrated. We are committed to equitable community participation in the creation of our exhibits and programming, and that our diverse community of visitors sees themselves reflected in our work.Īshley Bryan’s Beautiful Blackbird Exhibit is designed to engage diverse audiences, explore the perspective that “black is beautiful” and “difference is beautiful,” encourage creative self-expression, foster listening to others, and enable the sharing of stories visually and verbally. Come experience Maine’s first gesture animation exhibit on giant book pages and have your loved ones join the flock! The Museum & Theatre strives to ensure that everyone feels they belong at our facility. This exhibit brings Ashley Bryan’s Beautiful Blackbird children’s book to life as you dance with Blackbird, create art, and share your own stories.

< Back to Exhibits Enter the world of the award-winning book Beautiful Blackbird!

Beautiful Blackbird by Ashley Bryan