The Brogan Museum is honored to host THE KINSEY COLLECTION: The Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey: "Where Art and History Intersect" opening September 11, 2009.  The exhibit features items that are historically important, culturally relevant, and aesthetically valued.  The Kinsey collection spans four centuries; cohesively preserving African American history with artifacts, while also delving into contemporary African American Art.

The Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey is a breathtaking collection of more than ninety rare books, sculptures, paintings, documents, manuscripts and vintage photographs which tell the story of African Americans in the Americas from 1632 to present.  The historical significance of their collection is astounding, with artifacts of Benjamin Banneker, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Ann Jacobs, Alain Locke, Phillis Wheatley and Malcom X.  The art featured in the exhibit includes works by important African American Artists: Romare Bearden, Aaron Douglas, Elizabeth Catlett, Sam Gilliam, William H. Johnson, Jacob Lawrence, Beauford Delaney and Henry O Tanner.

Florida native and Florida A and M University Alumni’s, Bernard Kinsey and wife, Shirley Kinsey, have been collecting for more than thirty-five years.  THE KINSEY COLLECTION: The Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey began as a way to savor and share their travels, but their art soon became a repository for African American intellectual, historical, and artistic works.  The Kinsey’s feel that the exhibit helps to give a well rounded look at the African American Experience in America, giving depth and possible alternate views to a historical story.  Bernard Kinsey states, “Our collection brings to light the extraordinary triumphs and accomplishments of our ancestors, and in doing so gives these individuals a voice, a personality and a name.”

This exhibit could have a profound impact on the Tallahassee community; not only to the African American community, but to all living here, as the histories is also part of the American experience. 

“One of the most impactful elements of this exhibit is the educational aspects,” Kinsey declares, “We hope that by viewing this exhibit people will leave motivated, educated and inspired.”

“To gauge the significance of this exhibit, after the collection leaves The Brogan Museum, it will travel to The Smithsonian Institution, in Washington D.C.” stated Chucha Barber, CEO for The Brogan Museum.   “The timing of the exhibition in relationship to national historical events is significant.  There has never been a more appropriate time for an exhibition of this content and magnitude to come to Florida’s Capital City and then to The Smithsonian Museum of American History in our nation’s Capital.  The opportunity to educate and inform people of all racial and ethnic origins about the role of African Americans in both an historical and contemporary context is a unique privilege.  The Board of Directors and staff of The Brogan Museum are so proud to be a part of this important project.”

The Kinsey Collection was sited as a strong  factor for ,The Norton Museum of Art, recently receiving the highest award possible for a Museum, the National Medal for Museum and Library Service ,for Community outreach and Education; Additionally, THE KINSEY COLLECTION recently won The Sunshine State School Public Relations Associations Medallion Award for "Engaging the Community with Art History” which brought together hundreds of educators, partners and community members, focused attention on the  African American History Curriculum and enabled a record breaking 6,700 students to visit the exhibition.

The Brogan Museum expects an even larger participation from the educational system in the North Florida region, and nine counties that they serve.  The exhibit will be on display at The Brogan until March 21, 2010.