Celebrate Juneteenth In Morristown With 3 Days Of Art, Music, And Culture

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Juneteenth is once again upon us, and Morristown has an array of art events to celebrate the federal holiday.

Juneteenth, also known as Black Independence Day and Freedom Day, commemorates the day slaves in Galveston, Texas, finally earned their freedom on June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Several local art venues are hosting a series of events to honor the historic day.

On Wednesday, June 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the Mayo Performing Arts Center(MPAC), along with Morris Arts, Arts in the Atrium, and the Morris Museum, will be hosting vocalist Lynette Sheard for an outdoor concert at the Vail Mansion Lawn.

Sheard is a renowned singer and actor who has performed in shows including ‘DreamGirls’, ‘Raisin in the Sun’, and many more. She will be singing classic songs by legendary Black artists, including Billie Holiday and Sam Cooke. The performance is being produced by distinguished producer Gregory Burrus.

“African American communities have used music and art, sometimes in place of written communication, to discuss life, death, spiritual philosophies, and emotions to cope with the traumas that came with being enslaved,” an MPAC statement read. “This interactive and engaging performance will feature popular freedom songs listed below that demonstrate the joy, sorrow, pain, inspiration, discontent, and hope experienced by African Americans on their continued journey towards healing and emotional emancipation.”

On the big day, June 19, the Art in the Atrium Art Gallery will host the opening reception of Another Slice of Sweet Potato Pie from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Morris County Administration and Records Building.

The gallery will have several paintings, sculptures, collages, and more, depicting Black culture and experience.

“I’m thrilled to celebrate Juneteenth alongside our esteemed arts organization partners for the third consecutive year,” said Simone Craig, CEO of Art in the Atrium. “This celebration is a meaningful reflection of the cultural significance, resilience, and joy that Juneteenth represents. We look forward to welcoming the community to join us in commemorating this important chapter of our shared history.”

On Friday, June 20, the Morris Museum has a packed schedule of events celebrating Juneteenth. From film screenings to dance programs, here is the Morris Museum’s schedule of events for June 20:

• 4:15 p.m.: Tour of Interwoven: Rupture and Repair
• 5:15 p.m.: Tour of Echoes of the Diaspora: A Study in Style, Culture and the African Mask with Featured Artist, Troy Jones
• 4 p.m., & 4:45 p.m.: Screenings of PBS American Masters: Danielle Scott: Ancestral Call
• 6 p.m.: Theater Program featuring Unity Steppers, vocalist Patricia Walton, and a screening of PBS American Masters: Danielle Scott: Ancestral Call, including a Q&A with Danielle Scott and Producer, Tetiana Anderson.

Interested parties can RSVP for the events online here.