Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum Launched She Speaks Exhibit

The Annapolis museum now features a major collection of works by Black women artists through early 2027.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in African-American

Bold vector editorial illustration of an arched brick window and an artist's easel, highlighting the She Speaks exhibit at the Annapolis museum. — The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum in Annapolis has launched 'She Speaks,' a new exhibition featuring works by Black women artists through early 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum in Annapolis has unveiled a new art exhibit titled She Speaks. The showcase highlights contributions from Black women artists and will remain on public display until January 16, 2027.

Why it matters

Museum leadership organized the exhibit to ensure Black artistic contributions are recognized within the broader context of the national 250th anniversary celebrations. The display aims to deepen public engagement with these historical narratives through curated items and artist discussions.

The exhibit occupies two floors of the former Mount Moriah AME Church building. Displays include quilting panels dating to approximately 1820 and three linocut prints created in 1947.

The players

Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum

This Annapolis-based institution is dedicated to preserving and promoting African American heritage and history in Maryland.

Bowie State University

This public historically Black university is co-hosting a symposium titled Aesthetic Inheritance alongside the museum.

Ada Pinkston

She is a contemporary artist whose work is featured in the photography included within the She Speaks exhibit.

The details

Housed in the historic 1874 Mount Moriah AME Church building, the exhibit features photography that includes artist Ada Pinkston. The museum also provides a dedicated reading list to assist visitors in exploring the history behind the collection.

Quilting panels featured in the collection were created around 1820.
The Mount Moriah AME Church building was originally constructed in 1874.
Three linocut prints featured in the display were made in 1947.
The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum first opened in 1984.
The She Speaks exhibit is scheduled to remain on display until January 16, 2027.

Culture Shift

This exhibit marks a shift toward integrating regional African American narratives into the larger national 250th anniversary celebrations. By showcasing work from 1820 to the present, the museum highlights the enduring role of Black artists in the country's cultural lineage.

Visitors can access the exhibit daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the museum site in Annapolis. Attendees are also encouraged to participate in the Aesthetic Inheritance symposium taking place across both the museum and Bowie State University.

The takeaway

This exhibit offers a unique opportunity to view historical artifacts like 19th-century quilting alongside contemporary photography. Visitors should plan to engage with both the museum display and the scheduled symposium for a complete educational experience.