California Museum Presents First-of-its-Kind Exhibit Depicting Underexplored Aspects of Black History in the West

On view at the California Museum through October 1, 2023, “Black Pioneers: Legacy in the American West” explores the path of Black history in the West with a timeline of original pictorial quilts. Dispelling the myth that Black people in the old West were mostly cowboys, the exhibit shows rich diversity in their occupations and achievements in society, religion, education and the arts from 1528 through the Civil Rights Movement.

Organized by The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art and curator, historian and artist Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, “Black Pioneers” features 50 quilts created for this exhibit by the Women of Color Quilters Network (WCQN). Founded by Dr. Mazloomi in 1985, WCQN is a nonprofit whose mission is to educate, preserve, exhibit, promote and document quilts made by African Americans. Learn more about the exhibit at https://www.californiamuseum.org/black-pioneers.

Located at 1020 O St. in downtown Sacramento, the California Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. Plan a visit at https://californiamuseum.org/visit/admission-hours-tickets/.