LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The year 1865 signifies the official end of slavery in the U.S. The federally recognized holiday celebrating that is known as Juneteenth.
The Louisville Visual Art organization is diving into the past through a Juneteenth day camp.
What You Need To Know
- The Louisville Visual Art Juneteenth occurs annually at Waterfront Park
- The camp runs June 13-17 and is open to children aged 7-12 years old
- This year Kayla Morgan led the camp as a lead instructor
- Students at the camp got to lean about the history of Ed Hamilton, Muhammad Ali, the Underground Railroad and more
The Louisville Visual Art hosts the weekly camp each year to shed light on Juneteenth. Each year, they pick a professional Kentucky artist to lead it. Campers make art, learn about history and discuss progress.
Slavery is a part of America’s darkest past, and Kayla Morgan is diving into the topic with campers aged 7-12 years old.
“The Black community made [Juneteenth] our holiday,” Morgan said.
Through art, Black history is what Morgan is working to tell. The West End native said art has always been a part of her life.
She was involved with the Louisville Visual Art program as a camper until she was 12 years old. Now, Morgan owns her own art organization called ‘Who Don’t Love Art’. She’s happy to be back teaching at the Louisville Visual Art Juneteenth Camp.
“We’re going to use white colored pencils and then I’ll give you some colors to add to it,” Morgan said to her campers.
Using white color pencils on Black construction paper for art projects represents the country before slavery ended, Morgan said. Then students were given color pencils to represent progress, change and the end of slavery in 1865.
“We’re not going to stand for disrespect and also we’re going to celebrate what we couldn’t celebrate—Actually, what our ancestors couldn’t celebrate. Which is just us being us,” said Morgan.
When change finally came, it wasn’t always bright, much like Quindine Drake’s drawing. The 11 year Louisville native can’t help but think about the what if’s of slavery.
“I wouldn’t have had the same chances as other people and I would probably would have been a slave,” Drake said.
That’s exactly why Morgan said being a part of Louisville Visual Art Juneteenth Camp is so important to her. The impact is huge for younger generations.
“For me, to look like this and be a full-time artist for three years now, it’s nice to see the kids get excited,” said Morgan.
Morgan has been a professional artist since 2019, and she’s happy for her city celebrating and uplifting Black voices—especially after 2020’s turbulent fight for social justice.
“I think it’s extreme progress. I usually tell people it’s like a loading bar. We’re at 50% and we still have a little while to go and we haven’t hit 100%,” Morgan said. “We’re getting there. Sometimes it takes a little longer to get there, but we’ll get there.”
The closer Louisville gets to 100% progress, Morgan said the greater her impact will be.
The Louisville Visual Art Juneteenth Camp wraps up this Friday. There are many events kicking off in Derby City for the federal holiday.
Here’s a list of Juneteenth events in Louisville:
- Thursday, June 16: Juneteenth Luncheon at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage center at 11 a.m.
- Thursday, June 16: Miss Juneteenth Pageant at Fourth Street live from 1 to 5 p.m.
- Friday, June 17: Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration at the Muhammad Ali Center at 6 p.m.
- Saturday, June 18: “Race for Justice” at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center. It’s at 8 a.m. and honors Breonna Taylor.
- Saturday, June 18: Juneteenth Youth Jamboree at Berrytown Park from 10 to 3.
For a full list of Juneteenth events in the city of Louisville, click here.