2023-2024 Season Calendar of Events
Through December 26: “Thresholds” exhibit
The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum’s Thresholds is a collection of African artifacts and artwork that mark the milestones of a life journey. The show features pieces from the Spady Museum Collection and special artifacts from the Kay Crawford Collection and the Dr. Cecil Jonas Collection. Thresholds is co-curated by Joanne Hamsptead and Khaulah Naima Nuruddin. In the exhibit, each carefully curated artifact tells a tale of a “threshold” – such as a birth, initiation, marriage or death – that a person crosses with the assistance and guidance of unique ceremonies, rituals, and artistic expressions.
For example, several cultures throughout Africa practice passage ceremonies for their young people. A component of the rite is represented in the exhibit with pieces of beaded jewelry from the Nigerian Yoruba tribe. The intricately designed jewelry, which are worn by men and women around their waistlines, indicates their crossing of the spiritual threshold into adulthood.
Oct. 11: “Crossing Overtown” screening at Cornell Museum, in partnership with Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County
6 p.m.
Cornell Museum at Old School Square, 51 Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, FL
In a first-time collaboration, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) welcome audiences to learn more about the compelling origins of Overtown, a Miami city that encapsulates the indomitable spirit of the African American metropolis. In their one-hour documentary, “Crossing Overtown,” Jewish filmmakers Scott Barnett and Johanna Vega delve into the unique role that Overtown plays in the national civil rights movement and its influence on other predominantly Black cities.
FREE; donation to the Spady Museum requested
RSVP: http://bit.ly/4772ByM
Oct. 28: Sip and See With Spady, featuring The Florida Highwaymen
This program was born out of the need to continue the enriching conversations sparked by tours of the Spady Museum’s exhibits. The history of the Black citizens of Delray Beach, Palm Beach County and the State of Florida and how that history connects to the wider narrative of American history are broad topics that can require more time than a museum tour will allow. Sip and See at Spady is a monthly, 2-hour, social gathering that provides additional time to continue discussion of selected topics supplemented by scholars, documentaries, live presentations, publications and other source material.
Nov. 28: “Thresholds” Exhibit Curator and Collector Talk
Dec. 26: “Thresholds” Exhibit Public Workshop, as part of Kwanzaa Celebration
Dec. 26: Kwanzaa Celebration
2:30-5:30 p.m.
170 NW 5th Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444
Kwanzaa Celebration will welcome families to celebrate the holidays by making their own gifts and enjoying live music, art activities, storytelling for children, and food. The celebration will be held outside on the museum grounds. Kwanzaa is a Pan-African holiday designed to strengthen and celebrate the best of African culture and heritage. Five community-minded organizations come together to infuse the Kwanzaa celebration with all of the seven principles for a rich and memorable experience. Unity, a concept that was kept away from African Americans during the founding of our country, is an important principle to learn, adopt and practice. (Learn more about Kwanzaa here: https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/seven-principles-kwanzaa). The Spady Museum will condense the week-long celebration into an afternoon of community observation. The Kwanzaa Celebration is hosted by Spady Museum in collaboration with the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the Sankofa Study Group, Pyramid Books, Kwanzaa 365 Live.
January 15, 2024: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch
10 a.m.-noon
Indian Spring Country Club, 11501 El Clair Ranch Road, Boynton Beach, FL
A signature community event, which is often sold-out, the Spady Museum’s “I Have A Dream” Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast has swelled to welcome more than 300 people from Palm Beach and Broward counties. The Breakfast features guest speakers, musical entertainment, and a full breakfast buffet. Tickets are available at www.spadymuseum.com. For more information, call 561-279-8883 or email [email protected]
Jan. 16: Traditional “Colored Town” Bus Tour
The Traditional “Colored Town” Bus Tour takes riders on a journey through the city’s Colored Town historic district. Riders will tour the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and other locations; disembarking at select historic sites for a closer look at the fascinating history of Delray Beach. To book this tour for groups of 10-28, please contact the museum at (561) 279-8883 or email us at [email protected]
Jan. 20: Cook, Chat and Chew
Jan. 26: “Solo Exhibition of Kandy G. Lopez” Exhibit Opening
Employing a wide variety of artistic expressions, Kandy G. Lopez examines the notion of in-betweenness, as it refers to navigating cultures, experiences, and adverse environments by individuals or communities that have been marginalized or forcibly displaced. In the Nahuatl language, Nepantla relates to the resistance practices formed in response to living in oppressive conditions. People develop strategies for survival that can include cultural preservation, maintaining traditions, or creating new forms of identity to withstand the pressures of assimilation or conquest. Curated by Tayina Deravile, (in)visible: Nepantla magnifies the people who cross boundaries and facilitate passage between worlds.
Jan. 30: “Solo Exhibition of Kandy G. Lopez” Exhibit Artist Talk
Feb. (TBD): Spady Museum is participating in “Reimagining Palm Beach County” exhibit at Cornell Museum; exhibit opens at a date to be announced. A painting of Mr. Solomon D. Spady will be included in this exhibit.
Feb. 16: Historic Districts of Delray Beach Bus Tour
The Historic Districts of Delray Beach Bus Tour takes riders on a journey through the city’s living and preserved history. Riders will tour the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and other locations; disembarking at select historic sites for a closer look at the fascinating history of Delray Beach. To book this tour for groups of 10-28, please contact the museum at (561) 279-8883 or email us at [email protected]
Feb. 16: Youth Art Awareness Festival
4-8p.m.
170 NW 5th Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444.
The energy of the first Black Youth Awareness Art Festival spilled out into the streets of West Settlers’ Historic District, as the Spady Museum and Milagro Center welcomed more than 300 new and old friends to the Black History Month event. In 2023, the Spady Museum plans for a repeat performance, this time in partnership with CAPE Universal. At the festival, young people took to the stage with music, poetry/spoken word and dance, while youth chatted with customers. Artwork created by local youth lined the outdoor venue, which provided a lively backdrop for young, small business owners selling their wares. Delray Beach Police officers handed out ice cream and Digital Vibes kept the music in the air. About 50 audience members joined a giant drum circle led by Anthony Bacchus of CAPE Universal.
March 1: “Solo Exhibition of Kandy G. Lopez” Artist-Led Workshop
April 5: “Ain’t No Limits” Exhibit Opening
Presented by Rubber Bands
Ten artists collaborate in a new exhibit, created with an intention for Black women and women of color to claim limitless freedom, rest, and joy for themselves, while advocating for others to do the same. The artists are anonymously paired, one visual and one literary, to create original work that disrupts the status quo, reclaims identity, and empowers Black women/women of color to individually and collectively push back against boundaries and limitations that stifle and oppress their attempts to fully self-actualize.
April 27: “Ain’t No Limits” Exhibit Public Art and Poetry Workshop
May 16: “Ain’t No Limits” Exhibit Artist Talk
May 19: Historic Districts of Delray Beach Bus Tour
The Historic Districts of Delray Beach Bus Tour takes riders on a journey through the city’s living and preserved history. Riders will tour the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and other locations; disembarking at select historic sites for a closer look at the fascinating history of Delray Beach. To book this tour for groups of 10-28, please contact the museum at (561) 279-8883 or email us at [email protected]
May 19: A Delray Beach Family Affair
4-8 p.m.170 NW Fifth Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33437
Celebrate the communion of family – whether it’s your biological, communal, or cultural family – at this FREE event in the backyard of the Spady Museum. Family members can have their photos taken together, while children splash around in water play, and elders and Spady staff share the stories behind the many historical displays. Consider it a Family Reunion for all!
June 19 (Federally recognized Juneteenth): Traditional “Colored Town” Bus Tour
The Traditional “Colored Town” Bus Tour takes riders on a journey through the city’s Colored Town historic district. Riders will tour the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and other locations; disembarking at select historic sites for a closer look at the fascinating history of Delray Beach. To book this tour for groups of 10-28, please contact the museum at (561) 279-8883 or email us at [email protected]
June 20: “Ain’t No Limits” Exhibit Artist Talk
June 21: Juneteenth Concert
July 27: “Ain’t No Limits” Exhibit Closing Reception
ABOUT THE SPADY CULTURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM:
Opened in 2001, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum is the only cultural center of its kind in Palm Beach County. Located at 170 NW Fifth Avenue in Delray Beach, it is dedicated to showcasing the contributions of African-, Caribbean- and Bahamian-Americans to Florida and the U.S. Programs include exhibitions, museum tours, and community events. Hours: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday; Mondays by appointment. Closed Sundays. Admission: $20; Members are free. For more information, call 561-279-8883 or visit www.spadymuseum.com