The College of Marin hosted an exhibition opening event Thursday to celebrate the artwork of Emory Douglas, the former minister of culture for the Black Panther Party and the artist behind the visuals of the Black Panther newspaper.
The event honored Douglas’ contributions to graphic art, social justice and political activism. His work, which appeared prominently in the Black Panther newspaper, helped shape the visual identity of the Black Panther Party and communicate its political views, community programs and calls for liberation.
Professor Walter Turner, an educator at the College of Marin specializing in African and African American studies, discussed some of the social welfare programs that the Black Panther Party started to address the needs of the community during a kickoff event on Monday.
“In Sausalito, we had a breakfast for children program,” Turner said. “Many children were going to school hungry and without. And our philosophy was that you can learn better on a full stomach than an empty stomach.”
Douglas continues to create politically engaged artwork addressing global struggles for social justice. His work promotes solidarity, resistance and liberation among oppressed and colonized communities worldwide.
The exhibition is described as the first and only permanent collection of Douglas’ artwork in the world. It follows the College of Marin Fine Arts Gallery’s October 2023 exhibition, “The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas: Black Liberation, Global Justice,” which featured his work.
The opening event Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. featured guest speakers, live music, refreshments and an opportunity for attendees to view the collection across all three floors of the Center for Student Success building on the College of Marin Kentfield campus.
The event was open to the public and provided an opportunity to learn more about the Black Panther Party, Douglas’ artistic legacy and his ongoing social justice work.