5th and 7th grade students visited the African American Museum to experience Ruth E. Carter Presents: Afrofuturism in Costume Design. This inspiring exhibition highlights the groundbreaking career of Ruth E. Carter, a two-time Academy Award–winning costume designer whose work has shaped film, television, and pop culture.
Students explored iconic costumes, personal sketches, and rare behind-the-scenes materials that reveal how costume design helps bring characters and stories to life. The interactive exhibition showcased Carter’s creative process, from research and hand-drawn designs to collaboration with actors and filmmakers, while celebrating Afrofuturism and the powerful storytelling of the African American narrative.
The visit encouraged students to think creatively, appreciate the art of design, and see how imagination, culture, and history come together on screen. It was a meaningful and memorable experience that inspired the creative storyteller in all of us.
Students also participated in an energetic hour-long workshop led by African American drummers who shared the rich history and cultural significance of drumming, music, and dance. Through hands-on participation, students beat drums, sang, and danced together, experiencing how rhythm has long been used as a powerful form of expression, storytelling, and community. The workshop was both educational and joyful, bringing history to life through movement and sound.
If you have time for a visit, the museum is celebrating MLK Day by offering half-priced admission this Saturday and Sunday, and free admission on Monday (timed ticketing).