The Woodson African American Museum (2240 9th Ave S) of Florida just announced the opening of “Give Us the Sun,” a solo exhibition by Atlanta-based artist Traci Mims, on June 8, 2024. Partnering with Black Art in America, the exhibit will showcase Mims’ diverse works, including drawings, prints, paintings, and quiltwork.

Hailing from St. Petersburg, Mims returns to her hometown with a distinguished background, holding a BA from Florida A&M University and an MFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University. Her accolades include numerous awards, fellowships, and exhibitions.

Mims, a multidisciplinary artist, focuses on the narratives, lives, and faces within her community, portraying both every day and monumental figures. “I consider myself a social realist,” she says, “because I focus on the lives of everyday Black people, the things they experience, and how they react to it emotionally.”

Preserving the rich history of African Americans in St. Pete

Her intricate prints and monumental drawings emphasize social justice and highlight histories at risk of being forgotten. Each piece merges the ordinary with the epic, creating powerful expressions of her subjects.

“Give Us the Sun” officially opens on Saturday, June 8 at 5pm, coinciding with the St. Petersburg Second Saturday Art Walk.

The Woodson African American Museum of Florida is dedicated to preserving and presenting the rich history, culture, and community of African Americans in St. Petersburg and the African Diaspora. Through its programming, the museum aims to maintain this legacy for future generations of residents and visitors.