Cameron Art Museum workshop celebrates Juneteenth

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) —

The program invites children and families to participate in hands-on learning that often ties into the museum’s current exhibitions.

This month’s theme centered on the question, “What does freedom feel like?” through art, storytelling, and group discussion. Activities included coloring, worksheets, and a free verse poetry session.

Participants also walked through the museum’s current exhibit, “We Belong Here,” before beginning their projects.

“Kids at CAM” Lifelong Learning Coordinator September Krueger said the exhibition helped set the tone for the day’s workshop.

“That exhibition is all about community and recognizing everyone and so it tied in very well with the story of Juneteenth commemorating our history and also recognizing that there is a place for everyone here in our society,” Krueger said.

Brooklyn-based poet and teaching artist Mahlaynee Cooper, also known as Carrie Assata, joined the program to share her work. Cooper is the founder of Speak Ya Peace NC and uses poetry, music, and education as tools for empowerment and engagement.

As part of the workshop, participants contributed to a collective quilt, with each person’s response to the freedom prompt included as a piece of the whole.