INDIANAPOLIS – At 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 20, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art will welcome noted professor and lecturer, Modupe Labode, Ph.D., for the third annual Leon Jett Memorial Lecture. Labode is an assistant professor in the History and Museum Studies Departments and public scholar of African American history and museums at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. She will present her lecture Jim Crow in the “Mile-High City”

 

Since the discovery of gold in 1858, African Americans came to Denver to find opportunities that were not available in other parts of the country. However, the community and their allies repeatedly struggled to stop or limit racial segregation. Labode will discuss the ways in which African Americans in the “Mile-High City” confronted segregation in the city’s schools, parks, restaurants and other public places from the late 1880s through 1940.

 

Labode is a noted scholar on African Americans and the West and is a frequent speaker on topics ranging from the Underground Railroad in Indiana, the history of the Civil Rights Movement, African American religious history to African American History and the West. She received her degrees from Iowa State University and Oxford University in Great Britain.

 

Labode’s lecture is co-hosted by the Indiana African American Genealogy Group, whose members are dedicated to exploring their own black history through family research. The lecture will be followed by a meeting of IAAGG that is open to those wishing to explore their family stories.

 

The Annual Leon Jett Memorial Lecture celebrates the life and contributions of the museum’s former public programs manager. Jett designed programs that brought artists, lecturers and performers to the museum to challenge stereotypes and tell the stories of the West and indigenous peoples from a diversity of perspectives. Through programming, Leon introduced museum visitors and members to a more inclusive view of the art, history and cultures of the West and Native Americans.

 

Members of the Indiana Plein Air Association will be at the Eiteljorg Museum working in the Art of the American West Gallery and Gund Gallery of Western Art. Historically, artists have perfected their skill by copying works of the masters. Guests will be able to see the artists at work in the galleries from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Beginning at 3 p.m., the artists will gather and talk about their work and observations during their time at the museum.

 

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The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art’s mission is to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of North America. The museum is located in Downtown Indianapolis’ White River State Park. For general information about the museum and to learn more about exhibits and events, call (317) 636-WEST (9378) or visit www.eiteljorg.org.