An intimate crowd gathered at the Bing Rooming House Museum Friday evening to discuss three vastly different pieces of art and examine how artworks can be a stream of social consciousness.
The artworks were on display throughout the museum and three community leaders were chosen to facilitate a conversation on each piece. Attendees then joined in with their thoughts on the artwork, transforming a routine art exhibition into a mediation on cultural divide and human rights in the U.S.
“There is a desire to really leverage the Bing House,” Williams Thomas Jr., president of the Improvement League of Plant City, said. “We want to preserve, present and promote African-American History, to bridge gaps in our community and make a connection to the younger people in Plant City. Our curators are presenting ideas of activism in the community —not exactly political, more along the lines of simply showing people we care — as well as amping up our involvement with events like Earth Day. We will be hosting at least two activities a month now at the museum.”
The Mural Reveal reception lasted from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and welcomed approximately 25 guests to the Bing House. One of the featured artworks depicted a slave ship that was drawn from one long continuous line. Another was formatted using snapshots of diversity to show how human rights evolved in this country from segregation to the civil rights movement to desegregation and the following ripples of change we see today.
The final artwork was a mural in two distinctly different neon colors. Together it made an image, but each color also was its own unique picture.
The artists involved donated their time and efforts for the event and Thomas said it was an evening filled with thoughtful conversation and awe-inspiring art.
“It’s a museum, it’s our responsibility to present history in different formats, not just in pictures and artifacts,” Thomas said “Art is one of those other forms. It can present history and connect to generations both young and old alike. Thanks to a new wave of young folk getting involved we are now leveraging our assets to connect and tell a story in our community. It’s important to us to be able to open up, to tell a side of Plant City’s history that many may not know about.”
This is just one of the many new and unique experiences that are going to be offered at the Bing House. Recently the group kicked off a monthly movie series. So far they’ve watched Black Panther and Cars 2 and Thomas said many more family-friendly films are on the way. The films also tie into deeper conversations throughout the evening and there are arts and crafts available as the film plays for young viewers to stay engaged.
Next week the organization will be hosting another first-time event for the museum. On April 4, the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination, the museum will open its doors at 5:30 p.m. for a vigil in honor of the monumental American hero. Three or four representatives of the clergy are coming to lead the event, including a clergyman Thomas said walked with Dr. King.
It will be a quick and somber affair, but the hope is the Bing House will continue to offer these unique experiences for years to come.
“Right now, we’re kind of acting on the thought of, ‘why not?’” Thomas said. “We are thinking about things to offer and whenever something sticks we decide as a group to just see how it goes. It’s our responsibility to bridge these gaps in our community so you’re going to see a lot more coming out of the museum over the next few months.”