REGINALD LEWIS MUSEUM MEDIA PREVIEW
The Premiere of Two Special Exhibits Celebrate Black History Month

BALTIMORE, MD — January 27, 2006 — Join us on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 for a special Media Preview of the new special exhibit “Distant Echoes: Black Farmers in America” at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The media preview will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 am.

This event marks the first time the media will be able to tour this special exhibition prior to its opening to the public on February 3, 2006. “Distant Echoes: America’s Black Farmers” is a photographic exhibition which depicts the lives and working conditions of black farmers from various parts of the United States. The exhibition features the work of John Francis Ficara, a world renowned editorial photographer whose work has been featured numerous times on the cover of Newsweek Magazine, as well as a variety of domestic and international magazines.

The Media will have an opportunity to meet John Francis Ficara, as well as the co-curators of the exhibition Margaret Hutto and Nona Martin.

Media will also be the first to view the Reginald Lewis Museum’s new community gallery exhibit, “From Freedom’s Shadow: African Americans and the United States Capitol.” This exhibit covers the involvement of African Americans in the U.S. Capitol, from enslaved labor during construction to current Congressional representation. Curator Felicia Bell will also be at the event to talk about this exhibition.
Cardinal William Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, will be visiting the Museum that morning and will be joining us for the special exhibition tour.

Both of these exhibitions are receiving their premiere in Baltimore, and will be traveling around the country after being displayed at the Reginald Lewis Museum.
This event kicks off a series of programs commemorating Black History Month at the Reginald Lewis Museum.

Media Event on Wednesday, February 1, 2006

9:30 am: Media Sign-in and refreshments (Enter front door of Reginald Lewis Museum)

10:00 am: Welcome and Introduction of Exhibitions George Russell, Board Chairman, Reginald Lewis Museum Sandy Bellamy, Executive Director, Reginald Lewis Museum, John Francis Ficara,, Photographer of “Distant Echoes” exhibition
Margaret Hutto, Co-curator, “Distant Echoes”, Felicia Bell, Curator, “From Freedom’s Shadow” exhibition

10:30 am: Tour of “From Freedom’s Shadow” led by Felicia Bell
Tour of “Distant Echoes” led by John Francis Ficara

Following the tour, the media may conduct interviews with all participants including Cardinal Keeler who will be visiting the Museum.
WHEN: Wednesday, February 1, 2006 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 am

WHERE: Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, 830 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
(Please use front entrance)

RSVP: Members of the media planning to attend the Media Preview Day are asked to RSVP by sending an e-mail message to Stinson@maamc.org.

To learn more about the Reginald F. Lewis Museum or to obtain visitor information, please visit the Museum’s web site at www.AfricanAmericanCulture.org or call 443-263-1800.

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