Hammonds House Museum Hosts NU AFRICANS Exhibition
The exhibition featuring portraits of Black women is on display in Atlanta through December 13, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in African-American
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The Hammonds House Museum currently hosts the NU AFRICANS exhibition, which returned to the Atlanta institution in September 2026. The display features approximately 30 portraits of Black women and remains open to the public until December 13, 2026.
Why it matters
The project serves as a collaborative exploration of identity and heritage, drawing from historical research on women warriors. Maurice Evans developed the work specifically to address and improve self-esteem among the models.
The exhibition showcases roughly 30 portraits of Black women, with five mannequins displaying wearable pieces on the second floor of the museum.
The players
Maurice Evans
He is a photographer who created the NU AFRICANS project to address self-esteem and composed an original soundtrack for a future book.
Grace Kisa
She is an artist who researches historical women warriors and costumes the models for the exhibition using materials like beads and wire.
Hammonds House Museum
Located in Atlanta, it is a cultural institution dedicated to celebrating and preserving the visual arts of the African Diaspora.
The details
Photographer Maurice Evans mounts images on wood panels cut into waves and curves, while artist Grace Kisa researches historical women warriors to design intricate headpieces using beads, yarn, and wire. These items function as symbolic crowns and shields, incorporating traditional braided hair styles.
Timeline
The NU AFRICANS exhibition debuted as an online project in 2020.
The exhibition returned to the Hammonds House Museum in September 2026.
An artist talk is scheduled at the museum for October 25, 2026.
The exhibition closes at the museum on December 13, 2026.
Culture Shift
The exhibition aligns with the established trend of using portraiture as a powerful medium for reclaiming historical narratives and documenting Black cultural identity. This work positions the artists within a broader shift toward integrating personal ancestral research with contemporary visual expression.
Residents and visitors to the Atlanta area can view the collection at the museum throughout the fall season. Those planning to attend the October 25 event should check for specific museum admission requirements ahead of their visit.
The takeaway
The NU AFRICANS project demonstrates how art can be used as a therapeutic tool to bolster self-worth while honoring historical legacies. Readers can look for ways to integrate their own family history into creative projects to foster a deeper sense of personal identity.
What happens next
Artists Maurice Evans and Grace Kisa will hold an artist talk at the Hammonds House Museum on October 25, 2026.
Further reading
Discover more cultural exhibits in the area at Atlanta African-American.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rough Draft Atlanta.
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