Morristown, NJ - The Juneteenth Arts Celebration is a three-day event that unites four non-profit organizations to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. This FREE event celebrates the African American community and provides the public access to local artists, food, dance, music, and other festivities at major cultural venues in Morristown and Morris Township. The partner organizations involved in this event are Art in the Atrium (ATA), Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morris Arts, and the Morris Museum.?

"I'm thrilled to celebrate Juneteenth alongside our esteemed arts organization partners for the third consecutive year,” said Simone Craig, CEO of Art in the Atrium. “This celebration is a meaningful reflection of the cultural significance, resilience, and joy that Juneteenth represents. We look forward to welcoming the community to join us in commemorating this important chapter of our shared history."

Juneteenth, traditionally observed on June 19, commemorates Black liberation from the institution of slavery that occurred at the end of the Civil War when President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became law in all states. The day also highlights the resilience, solidarity, and culture of the Black community. June 19, 1865, was the day word reached the enslaved in Galveston, Texas, although this proclamation had actually ended slavery on paper two years earlier on January 1, 1863.??

The Juneteenth Arts Celebration begins with an outdoor concert at the Vail Mansion Lawn on Thursday, June 18, where award-winning vocalist Lynette Sheard will sing popular freedom songs such as "Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday, "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke, and "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud" by James Brown. African American communities have used music and art, sometimes in place of written communication, to discuss life, death, spiritual philosophies, and emotions to cope with the traumas of being enslaved. This interactive and engaging performance will demonstrate the joy, sorrow, pain, inspiration, discontent, and hope experienced by African Americans on their continued journey towards healing and emotional emancipation.  

The arts celebration continues at the Atrium Gallery with a public reception for Another Slice of Sweet Potato Pie on Thursday, June 19. ATA’s 33rd Annual Signature exhibit, curated by Onnie Strother, will feature artist Russell Murray and showcase the work of more than 75 Black and Afro-Latino artists.

The festivities culminate with a free celebration hosted by the Morris Museum on Friday, June 20. Featuring art, performances and music, this special event includes a screening of a documentary short film about New Jersey artist Danielle Scott, curator-led tours of new exhibitions including Troy Jones, special access to the Spark!Lab for families, and a performance by crowd favorite Unity Steppers.

See Juneteenth Arts Celebration schedule of free events below:

Thursday, June 18, 6:00- 7:30 PM
Mayo Performing Arts Center Outdoor Concert with Lynette Sheard and the Lawrence Allen Trio
Vail Mansion Lawn
110 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960

Thursday, June 19, 6:00-9:00 PM
Art in the Atrium Opening Reception of Another Slice of Sweet Potato Pie
Morris County Administration and Records Building
10 Court Street, Morristown, NJ 07960

Friday, June 20, 4:00-9:00 PM
Free Museum admission starts at 4:00 PM
Morris Museum's Celebration begins at 6:00 PM
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960

For more information and to RSVP, visit: JuneteenthArtsCelebration.com