A 10-month-long exhibition opening at the Ohio Historical Center on May 1 showcases the “art and soul” of African American history and culture and offers exhibit goers a studio space where they can create artwork to tell their own stories.

Soul! Art from the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center will display 119 works from 1835 to 2003 that reflect African heritage, family, self-determination, love and celebration.

Comprised of art on loan from the Ohio Historical Society’s National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, the exhibit features works in a variety of media by many renowned artists, including Benny Andrews, Richmond Barthé, Elizabeth Catlett and Willis “Bing” Davis.

A 1,000-square-foot space next to the exhibit called The Studio will host related educational programs. Weekends will feature half-hour gallery tours and African American guest artists conducting workshops in doll making, jewelry, poetry and various other art media. Among visiting artists will be Queen Brooks and Willis “Bing” Davis. 

Soul! runs through Feb. 28, 2010. Rotating companion exhibits, also from the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, will focus on African American jazz, dance, quilt-making and spirituality as well as on the story of white abolitionist John Brown.

For more information about the exhibit and programs, visit www.ohiohistory.org.