Emory Douglas: In Our Lifetime
Part One of a Two Part Exhibition: The Contemporary Works of Emory Douglas
Emory Douglas: In Our Lifetime is a retrospective of the work and process of artist Emory Douglas framed around his 12-point Political Artist Manifesto.
Part A of the exhibit opens in December in AAACC’s Sargent Johnson Gallery. This exhibit establishes the Manifesto as the guiding principles of Douglas’ process to this day. Works in the show span the last two decades of the contemporary digital-era of his work. Part A will include artwork reflecting modern political movements as well as remixes of Douglas’ most iconic works.
Part B of the exhibit opens in February in AAACC’s 2nd and 3rd floors. This exhibition covers Douglas’ work from the 1960’s and spans 50 years of his revolutionary work as an artist. Works featured include many iconic pieces that he created for the Black Panther Party newspaper that have only grown in relevance and urgency. This exhibit will also cover Douglas’ process as an artist and document the many forms his works have taken.
Location: 1st Floor Sargent Johnson Gallery
Exhibition Run: December 4, 2025 – October 2026
Healing Through Self-Expression: Liberation, Resilience & Resources
This immersive gathering honors the power of Black creativity as a force for resilience and liberation. Through visual art, live music, and critical dialogue, we will hold space for connection, reflection, and joy within our community.
Location: 2nd Floor Nia Room
Exhibition Run: October 14, 2025 – early January 2026
The Opulens of Blackness
A bold and brilliant exhibition celebrating the richness, creativity, and resilience of Black culture.
Expect an unforgettable evening filled with vibrant art, joyful community, and the unapologetic expression of Black excellence. This is more than an art show—it’s a declaration of presence, legacy, and beauty.
Location: Throughout the 2nd and 3rd Floors
Exhibition Run: May 15, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Black Creativity
The exhibit highlights the careers of four outstanding individuals and their unique contributions to their communities and the world they lived in.
The first, the Sargent Claude Johnson exhibit, is the story of a determined Black multitalented artist, despite all odds, becoming an outstanding, celebrated mid-twentieth-century artist in the Bay Area.
The Second, Montford Cardwell, an incredible Renaissance artist who lived in San Francisco during the 60’s-70’s and who has not been recognized for his contributions to the art world.
The third, Ms. Mary Ellen Pleasant, a civic leader, philanthropist and civil rights advocate who risked her life and wealth for what she believed.
And the fourth, Carlos Martinez, whose incredible creation, “The American Experience 1900-1950”, speaks for itself. African art sculptures, which have been a source of inspiration for Sargent Claude Johnson and many minority and non-minority artists, are present and generate their own energy.
Location: 2nd Floor The San Francisco African American Historical and Cultural Society
Exhibition Run: November 6, 2025 – March 31, 2026