Where to celebrate Black History Month in Philadelphia

Check out these five exhibits and shows celebrating Black History Month.

The African American Museum in Philadelphia
701 Arch St.
215-574-0380
www.aampmuseum.org
The museum’s newest exhibit, running Thursday through March 21, is “As We See It: Selected Works from the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art,” featuring art by Edward Bannister, Henry Tanner, Dawoud Bey and others alongside pieces by local students. Richard Watson, who led the project, is creating a new painting during the exhibit’s run. Visitors can also explore AAMP’s permanent multimedia display, “Audacious Freedom.”

The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
3680 Walnut St.
215-898-3900
www.annenbergcenter.org
The Annenberg is hosting a series of shows during Black History Month. Thursday, see jazz great Branford Marsalis. Friday and Saturday, Philly native Ursula Rucker performs her poem “My Father’s Daughter,” with music and video. On Feb. 21, South African music icons Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela collaborate on a performance of South African freedom songs and their own hits in honor of their country’s 20th anniversary of democracy.

Art Sanctuary
628 S.16thSt.
215-232-4485
www.artsanctuary.org
The walls at the non-profit Art Sanctuary gallery are adorned with works by African-American artists all year long. This month, go to see “Green Winter,” featuring oil paintings of famous black entertainers and cultural figures by Philly native (andCAPAgrad)IvbenTaqiy. On Feb. 20, the gallery’s monthly openmicincludes a performance of jazz and spirituals by Ruth Naomi Floyd.

Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th St. and Ben Franklin Pkwy
215-763-8100
www.philamuseum.org
The Art Museum was the first major American museum to purchase work by an African-American artist, acquiring Henry Ossawa Tanner’s “Annunication” in 1899. The collection of African American art has grown to almost 800 pieces, with many of the highlights on display in “Represent: 200 Years of African American Art,” open through April 5. In addition to “Annunciation,” the exhibit includes work by Henry Ossawa Tanner, Horace Pippin, Jacob Lawrence, Martin Puryear and several other notable artists.

Penn Museum
3260 South St.
215-898-4000
www.penn.museum
Visit the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology on Feb. 28 for the annual Celebration of African Cultures, with drum and dance workshops, music, arts and crafts, storytelling and games. While you’re there, take a stroll through the Egypt and Africa galleries where you’ll see an impressive collection of sculptures, masks, instruments and many other artifacts.