Bloomfield Township Public Library will be hosting a unique, interactive art display March 1-14, 2018. “Muse at the Museum,” developed by the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival organization, in collaboration with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, aims to combine music with art and include public response in performance. Prominent composer, William Banfield, a Detroit native and professor of Africana Studies/Music and Society at Berklee College of Music, has been commissioned by the festival organization to write a new piece of music inspired by the painting, The Mandolin Player, by John Thomas Biggers. The artwork, a valued component of the Wright Museum’s collection since 1988, is an example of social realistic art, depicting a black musician against the backdrop of an impoverished black community.

The Library will be displaying a copy of The Mandolin Player in our lobby display case, along with materials for public response to the painting. In addition to written reactions, patrons are encouraged to be creative by writing poetry, drawing pictures or illustrating their thoughts and feelings in uniquely individual ways. Public responses to the artwork will be used in an upcoming June 2018 concert at the Wright Museum. Public interpretation of the artwork will aide in inspiring spoken word artists, jazz and techno musicians as part of the performance. “We believe that the public component is very important to this creative process and want to encourage as many people as possible to share their voices from the community,” remarked Anne Ruffley, on behalf of the chamber music organization.

For complete information, call the Bloomfield Township Public Library at (248) 642-5800 or visit the Library at 1099 Lone Pine Road, (at Telegraph Road), Bloomfield Township, MI 48302.