VISIONS AND VOICES OF EMANCIPATION

Objective: Successfully raised awareness for establishing an official international Juneteenth museum at the historic site.

Sponsorship: The exhibition was proudly sponsored by the Nia Cultural Center (Juneteenth Legacy Project) in collaboration with Texas A&M’s School of Architecture and Prarie View A&M’s School of Architecture.

Locations: The exhibition occurred on Juneteenth, 2023, simultaneously at the Nia Cultural Center in Galveston, Texas, and the Texas Institute for the Preservation of History and Culture at Prairie View A&M University, and lasted until the fall of 2023.

Innovative Technology: Leveraged extended reality that was easily accessible, especially to those unfamiliar with technology, by focusing on cell phone engagement as the primary tool to trigger event experiences.

Exhibition Details:

• Showcased a collection of 54 images, each measuring 20x20.

• Featured two distinct short films.

• Each image was integrated with QR codes, leading to individual web pages that provided a deep dive into the history of the depicted person, event, and the image itself.

Advanced Restoration:

• Employed a combination of Photoshop and artificial intelligence tools to repair and restore damaged sections of photographs.

• One of the short films highlighted the meticulous restoration process of previously unseen photographs and film clips of former slaves.

Storytelling Through Film:

The second film vividly narrates the story of Juneteenth. It incorporated AI-generated imagery and other digital elements, was narrated by a renowned celebrity voice, and was endorsed by national leaders.

Overwhelming Support:

• The project garnered positive feedback and support from both local and national media outlets.

• Notable figures, including celebrities, athletes, and public figures, endorsed and appreciated the project.

• The exhibition attracted an impressive footfall, with over 3,000 visitors in just one week.