OPEN GALLERY HOURS FROM 5-7
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Historic Alberta House and Vanport Mosaic are thrilled to welcome back to Portland visionary educator and scholar Dr. Khalid el-Hakim and his Black History 101 Mobile Museum. We invite you to join us for “The Music Of The Movement,” Dr. el-Hakim’s new exhibit and lecture exploring the ongoing impact of Black music on social justice movements.
Dr. el-Hakim has been called the "Schomburg of the Hip-Hop generation" because of his passionate commitment to carrying on the rich tradition of the Black Museum Movement. The Black History 101 Mobile Museum has visited 41 states, reaching tens of thousands of visitors in diverse spaces.
On Friday, January 5, and Saturday, January 6, 2024, Portlanders of all ages can visit the Historic Alberta House to get a taste of the award-winning collection of over 10,000 original artifacts of Black memorabilia dating from the trans-Atlantic slave trade era to hip-hop culture. The new exhibit showcases the rich history and legacy of Black music, highlighting the resilience and contributions of Black people in the face of racial discrimination.
The interactive tabletop exhibit features vinyl records, press photos, flyers, clothing items, contracts, and other ephemera from iconic artists who have shaped popular culture around the world. From the influence of jazz on the Harlem Renaissance to the role of hip-hop in the Black Lives Matter movement, this powerful experience highlights the ongoing impact of Black music on social justice movements.
The pop-up museum provides a platform for celebrating the contributions and resilience of Black people throughout history. Visitors will learn about the achievements of Black musicians, leaders, and activists who have fought for racial equality and justice in America and beyond.
The event will close on Saturday evening with Dr. el-Hakim’s talk about Black music's cultural and political significance throughout history. He will be joined by our special guest, Zachary Stocks, public historian, and the Oregon Black Pioneers’ Executive Director.
This event is made possible by the Portland Office of Events & Film, Prosper Portland, and the Regional Arts and Culture Council.
Visit the Vanport Mosaic’s exhibits currently on display at the Historic Alberta House:
Artwork of Henk Pander: “The Climate Refugees of Vanport” and “ The Artist as Eyewitness to History”
Originally from the Netherlands, Henk Pander was a child during WWII. After immigrating to the PNW in 1965, he became one of the region’s most renowned artists. Dutch artist Henk Pander passed away on April 7th, 2023, but his legacy continues through his remarkable body of work.
Vanport Mosaic is grateful to Henk Pander and his family for entrusting us with the watercolors from the Vanport series and the large-scale paintings Henk created in response to 2020's racial justice protests
Vanport: A Surge of Social Change
Home to a multiracial and multicultural community of over 40,000 residents, Vanport was built to house migrant workers and their families who relocated to the Portland region during World War II. At its peak, Vanport became the largest wartime federal housing project in the nation and second largest city in Oregon. On May 30, 1948 a devastating flood destroyed the entire city, killing 15 people and leaving thousands houseless. Vanport was never rebuilt, but its legacy lives on.
This exhibit features historical photos, newsclips, and archival material documenting the social life, the flood, and its aftermath.