Educational Antiracist Exhibit Moves to Fight Village

The “pickaninny” panel removed from Rochester’s Dentzel Carousel. Photo: RMSC Museum & Science Center

The Take It Down! Organizing Against Racism exhibit has moved from the RMSC Museum & Science Center to FIGHT Village, located at 186 Ward St., Rochester, NY 14605.

The seasonal traveling exhibit is free and open to the public in the FIGHT Village Community Room on weekdays (except Wednesdays) from 9 a.m. –4 p.m. now through July 31.

In 2016, a panel featuring racist artwork was removed from the Dentzel Carousel at Ontario Beach Park in Rochester, NY, after being on display for 111 years. The artwork generated controversy in our community. The Take It Down Planning Committee, in partnership with the RMSC and the City of Rochester, created this exhibit to show that pickaninny art perpetuates ongoing individual, institutional, and structural racism by denying the humanity of black children.

In 2019, the Museum Association of New York (MANY) awarded the Take it Down Planning Committee and the RMSC partnership the Engaging Communities Award for their work on the Take It Down: Organizing Against Racism exhibit and related programs. This award is a part of MANY’s Awards of Merit series and recognizes outstanding and innovative programs, staff, and volunteers who have enriched New York State museums with new and remarkable projects.

The Take It Down! Organizing Against Racism exhibit. Photo: RMSC

There will also be a FREE antiracist educational program about the Dentzel Menagerie Carousel panel exhibit on Saturday, July 29 from 12 – 3 p.m. It will take place at the FIGHT Village Community Room, facilitated by the Take It Down Planning Committee/Faith Community Alliance Coalition, in partnership with the RMSC.

The program, open to all ages, will include an opportunity to view the exhibit, discuss racism today, and engage in dialogue about the actions we can take in Rochester to work toward justice for all. It is the continuation of an ongoing educational process in the Rochester community to create a meaningful and sustained dialogue regarding effective anti-racist action.

For more information, visit the Take It Down! Organizing Against Racism webpage, hosted by the RMSC at rmsc.org/carousel, for more information.

Take It Down antiracist educational programs have been funded in part through support from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation from 2021 through 2023.

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