Panel Discussion: Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art

Enjoy a moderated panel discussion featuring curator Kevin Dumouchelle and artists Paul Emmanuel, Mikael Owunna, Tyna Abebowale, and Leilah Babirye, whose work is featured in the exhibition "Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art" and the accompanying book. Artists' voices are central to this exhibition, which is based on years of close collaboration and dialogue with African visual art practitioners who claim belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, however they define those terms. They are united by a simple, shared declaration: We are here and always have been and will be. Through their art, they invite us into their worlds and share complex stories of openly claiming their identities, their histories, and their place.

When: Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM (EDT).

Venue: National Museum of African Art, Washington, DC.

Price: Free.

Panelists: Curator Kevin Dumouchelle, and artists Paul Emmanuel, Mikael Owunna, Tyna Abebowale, and Leilah Babirye.

Note: This panel discussion accompanies the exhibition "Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art" at the National Museum of African Art. The event is free but may require registration for entry (check the ticket source for details).