Exhibit on display at Orlando airport celebrates Black legends with ties to Central Florida
Dr. and Mrs. Wells about 20 years after the Wells' Built Hotel was constructed. (Credit: Wells' Built Museum)ORLANDO, Fla. โ Travelers will get to learn about Central Florida Black history this month at the Orlando International Airport with the help of a new temporary exhibit. The WellsโBuilt Museum of African American History & Culture, in the Parramore neighborhood, opened the exhibition this week highlighting Central Florida Black legends. Wells built the entertainment venue South Street Casino to help bring African American artists to the Central Florida area. (Credit: Wells Built Museum)However, the exhibit at OIA is just a sampling of what the WellsโBuilt Museum has to offer.
Orlando group pushes for more diversity in Central Florida art scene
ORLANDO, Fla. โ It all started in a garage with a group of artists thinking about the art scene in the Orlando area. The current members of The Solution Artist Collective: Yve, Genevieve DeMarco, Jamile B. Johnson, and Victorious McLeod (https://www.thesolutionart.com/)โThe concept of diversity became one of our goals through necessity. At the formation of our group, there were only a few galleries to show at, and theyโd only give exhibits to group shows or curators of multiple artists," McLeod said. It features Mary Ann Carroll and Alfred Hair from the Florida Highwaymen, a group of African American artists who painted the Florida landscape from the 1950s through the 1980s. Elizabeth Thompson, Executive Director of the Wells'Built Museum, in front of the Black History Month wall at Wall Crawl in Orlando.
10 places to learn more about Central Floridas black history
Through the years, leaders in the community have stepped up to create museums or save historical houses belonging to prominent figures in Central Floridas African American history. Whether its Black History Month or any month of the year, weve put together a list of places to visit where you can learn more about the people who have broken barriers and served their communities. Mary S. Harrell Black History Museum, New Smyrna BeachLocated in an historic church, this museum was once a place of worship for a congregation of black Roman Catholics. African American Museum of the Arts, DeLandFounded in 1994, this museum features a revolving display of art, and over 150 African-related artifacts. This museum is used to preserve the town's history, while also displaying exhibits of prominent African American figures throughout history.