SC State’s I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium announces ‘No, You Can’t Touch My Hair’ exhibition celebrating the art and history of Black hair
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium on the campus of South Carolina State University announces its upcoming spring exhibition, “No, You Can’t Touch My Hair,” opening Friday, April 3, at 6 p.m.
This exhibition is free and open to the public.
On display through August, this dynamic presentation celebrates African American hair as a powerful medium of expression, culture and history. To complement the exhibition, the Stanback will host “Evenings with the Artists,” a series of intimate talks where featured creators will share their creative processes and the inspirations behind this evolving body of work.
The exhibition features a diverse roster of talent, including Kimora Aiken, Blak the Barber, Rodgers Boykin, Demetris Greene, Xavier Harris, Malik Hayward, Latoya Adams-Hook, Kailyn Jamison, Damion Johnson, Michael Knowles, Natalie Mitchell, Shawntel the Prototype, Carlos ‘Bilial’ Richardson, Vondella Smith-Richardson, Jesmon Simmons, Kathy Small, Chelsie Thompson, LaToya C. Thompson, Nicholas Ezra Walters, Latisha Walker and Terrance Washington.
“After years of systemic discrimination, over 25 U.S. states have passed the CROWN Act to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture or styles like braids, locs and twists,” said Ingrid Owens McMillan, director and curator at the Stanback. “This exhibition is a celebration of the struggle to wear our crowns.”
A call for community participation
In keeping with Stanback tradition, the Stanback invites the community to get involved as they are currently seeking:
- Historical artifacts: Loans of vintage Afro picks, hot curlers, hood dryers, historical hair-related photographs, etc.
- Vendors: Natural hair care product vendors interested in featuring their brands.
- Collaborators: High school and college students, barbers, stylists and photographers are encouraged to participate in upcoming programming.
Individuals interested should contact Program Manager Cassie Chandler at 803-536-8710 or email cchandl6@scsu.edu, as well as Director Ingrid Owens McMillan at 704-649-6604 or email iowens2@scsu.edu.
The I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium is an embodiment of South Carolina State University’s commitment to Communiversity, enhancing the appreciation of the arts and sciences in a single facility. The Stanback is a premier cultural institution dedicated to the fusion of art, science and the humanities.