Chrysler Museum of Art Explores Black Identity in “Define Yourself!”

William Villalongo (American, b. 1975) Black Menagerie (Testa di Moro), 2023, Acrylic, velvet flocking and paper collage on wood panel, Museum purchase, 2024.8, ©️ Villalongo Studio LLC

NORFOLK, Va., September 22, 2026 — Black representation and identity anchor “Define Yourself!,” an exhibition curated in collaboration with students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). On view Nov. 6, 2026-April 25, 2027, at the Chrysler Museum of Art, “Define Yourself!” draws inspiration from James Baldwin’s book, “The Fire Next Time” (1963), in which Baldwin warns the Black community that those who do not define themselves risk being defined by others. The exhibition grapples with themes of self-identification and external perceptions, encouraging viewers to reflect on the ways Black identity is shaped and understood.

Painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media from a range of artists including Emma Amos, Kwame Brathwaite, Elizabeth Catlett, Gordon Parks, Hank Willis Thomas, Kara Walker, James van der Zee and others will be among the works on view.

“Define Yourself!” was developed as part of the Chrysler Museum of Art’s leadership in the Atlantic Coast Cohort, funded through The Art Bridges Foundation. The cohort program works with museums nationwide to expand access to American art through multiphase, collection-sharing partnerships. The exhibition invited students from HBCUs to participate in the curatorial process through selecting works and writing labels.

“As curators, we set parameters for the exhibition,” explained Chrysler Museum McKinnon Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art Chelsea Pierce. “The students came to Chrysler to help us decide on the objects that would be included. They had input on every aspect, including appropriateness of choice for the audience.”

The exhibition features more than 80 objects from the Chrysler Museum’s collection, including sixteen photographs from a recent gift of more than 130 Carl Van Vechten photographs. Many of Van Vechten’s portraits featured prominent figures of the Harlem Renaissance. “Define Yourself!” will also debut selections from the collection of vernacular photography, gifted to the Museum in 2023. Context provided in the exhibition reflects collaborative discussions with students and faculty and builds upon previous narratives about how Black subjects are depicted in art and mass media.

Art Bridges Curatorial Fellow Nyree Dowdy partnered with Pierce to bring the exhibition to life. “This will be an opportunity to see works by Black artists in a context that demonstrates that Black art can look like anything. It really helps expand the idea of what it means to be a Black artist,” said Dowdy.

“Define Yourself!” aims to increase visual literacy skills by fostering a deeper understanding of image-making and the power of representation. In opening this critical evaluation to students and faculty through label writing, student-led tours and on-campus responses, the exhibition and its associated programming prioritize a meaningful dialogue amongst Black stakeholders in a setting conducive to generating impactful conversations.

The Atlantic Coast Cohort networks with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the mid-Atlantic region, including the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Maryland; Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina; and Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia.

“We are honored to partner with HBCUs through the Atlantic Coast Cohort, an initiative that reflects the Chrysler Museum’s commitment to expanding access to art and fostering meaningful dialogue in diverse communities,” said Erik Neil, the Chrysler Museum’s Macon and Joan Brock director. “This collaboration brings our collection to new audiences and creates opportunities for learning and discovery, enriching both the campuses and our institution. We are grateful to the Art Bridges Foundation for their support in making this partnership possible.”

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ABOUT THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART
The Chrysler Museum of Art welcomes you to connect with art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Internationally recognized for its collection of more than 35,000 objects, including one the largest glass collections in America, the Museum also includes free admission, the state-of-the-art Perry Glass Studio, a full-service restaurant, shop, theater, works on paper space, and oversees the historic Myers House. The Museum boasts an ambitious schedule of exhibitions, events, and programs, and has been nationally recognized for its commitment to inclusion through its innovative gallery host program. For more information, visit chrysler.org. Follow on social media @ChryslerMuseum to receive the latest updates.

ABOUT ART BRIDGES
Art Bridges Foundation is the vision of philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton. Since 2017, Art Bridges has created and supported projects that bring outstanding works of American art out of storage and into communities across the United States and its territories. Art Bridges partners with a growing network of more than 240 museums of all sizes on nearly 900 projects—impacting 5.3 million people nationwide—to provide financial and strategic support for exhibitions, collection loans, and programs designed to educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local communities. The Art Bridges Collection represents an expanding vision of American art from the 19th century to present day and encompasses multiple media and voices. For more information, visit artbridgesfoundation.org.

ABOUT THE ART BRIDGES COHORT PROGRAM
The Art Bridges Cohort Program supports multiyear, collection-sharing partnerships where museums from across the United States work together to generate exhibition projects. Comprised of a lead museum and institutional members, cohorts prioritize creating art access and experiences, community engagement, institutional capacity, and relationship building. The Cohort Program provides communities with engaging presentations of American art through the deep collaboration and robust collection sharing of all its members. Projects are determined by each cohort and therefore take on many forms; however, they are all united in their spirit and approach with museum partners innovating new ways of working together to share American art that transcends geographic and institutional boundaries. To learn more about the Art Bridges Cohort Program, visit artbridgesfoundation.org/cohort.

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