Morris County Proclaims February 2022 Black History Month
Published on February 09, 2022
“Art in the Atrium” Exhibit of African American Art Planned for April to September
Morris County’s Board of County Commissioners today adopted a special resolution proclaiming February as Black History Month 2022, urging residents to honor the centuries of contributions by African Americans to the nation, state and county.
“Tonight we join our fellow Americans across the United States in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments and lasting impact on our nation by our African American leaders and citizens with a resolution declaring February 2022 ‘Black History Month,’ “ said Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen during the board’s work session in Morristown.
“Through our resolution tonight, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners encourages everyone to honor and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to our daily lives in America and towards the betterment of life within Morris County and across the globe,” he added.
Lauren LeBeaux Craig, Executive Director of Art in the Atrium (ATA), gave a presentation to the board on the organization’s current and future exhibits of African American art in Morris County, including an exhibit proposed for the county administration building beginning in April.
“ATA has worked in alliance with the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, the Office of the Morris County Administrator and numerous corporate and community partners. We have been hosting a Black History Month exhibit on the Novartis campus for the past 15 years, and we are currently hosting an exhibit at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown,” Ms. Craig explained.
ATA also will be bringing a new exhibit to the county atrium from April through September, with plans to host a Juneteenth celebration
Art in the Atrium, now 30 years old, took its name from the atrium at the Morris County Administration Building in Morristown, where Ms. Craig’s parents, Victoria Craig and Charles Craig, established ATA, a nonprofit, volunteer organization with the mission to educate and exhibit African American fine art in Morristown. ATA’s annual exhibition, the largest of its kind in the state of New Jersey, has been a successful showcase of art by emerging and established artists.
Other Events in Morris County Celebrating Black History Month
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts in Madison:
PHOTOS:
Top Right: "Into the Light," a colorful representation of an African American woman as Lady Liberty created by multi-media artist Rosalind Nzinga Nichol
Center Left: Charles and Vicky Craig, founders of Art in The Atrium, which is celebrating its 30th year of exhibiting the works of African American artists.