The Summer of ’68: Photographing the Black Panthers at the Norton

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Pirkle Jones (American, 1914 - 2009) Black Panther demonstration, Alameda Co. Court House, Oakland, CA, during Huey Newton's trial, 1968

Pirkle Jones (American, 1914 – 2009)
Black Panther demonstration, Alameda Co. Court House, Oakland, CA, during Huey Newton’s trial, 1968
Gelatin silver print (selenium toned)
Norton Museum of Art, Gift of the Pirkle Jones Foundation, 2013.41

With race disputes between police and citizens sweeping national media attention seemingly every month in 2015, the Norton Museum of Art offers locals a way to explore a similar time in history through its newest exhibit “The Summer of ’68: Photographing the Black Panthers.”

   From July 30 to November 29, gallery visitors can get a glimpse into the often-seen-as-violent Black Panther Party, who formed in the late 1960s with a main premise of challenging police brutality in the riot-plagued summer of 1968 following Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. 

   The compelling collection of 22 photographs, taken by the espoused duo of Pirkle Jones and Ruth-Marion Baruch, aim to illustrate the party differently, highlighting the organization’s work toward social change in Oakland, California, and other major cities.

   The array of powerful images has never been exhibited at the Norton before. In an age where race issues are still prevalent, this exhibition can be a catalyst for discussion and hopefully change.

  • Admission to the Norton is $12 for adults, $5 for students and free for children 12 and under. Florida residents get in free on Thursdays through September 3, and Palm Beach County residents get in free on Saturdays year round. 

 

To open “The Summer of ’68: Photographing the Black Panthers,” the Norton will dedicate to July 30’s Art After Dark programming to the exhibition. The weekly event keeps the museum’s galleries open late, inviting at lovers to explore the museum from 5-9 p.m. with activities inspired by the highlighted exhibition. This week’s activities include:

  • “The Summer of ’68” Scavenger Hunt from 5-8 p.m.
  • A docent-led tour of the museum’s permanent collection, featuring the art of African and African-American Artists, will take place at 5:30 p.m.
  • The DIY activity “Pin It!” will let museumgoers create their own buttons from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
  • At 6:30 p.m., the Curators’ Conversation, led by the museum’s summer interns, will focus on the new exhibition “The Summer of ’68: Photographing the Black Panthers.”
  • From 7:30-8:45 p.m., Eric Biddines and artists will perform spoken word, drumming, R&B, and hip-hop.

Admission to Art After Dark is free for Florida residents.

 

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