California African American Museum
California Dreamin'
Los Angeles, CA • opened 2023

Black California Dreamin’: Claiming Space at America’s Leisure Frontier celebrates Californians who worked to make leisure here an open, inclusive reality in the first half of the twentieth century when Southern California was reimagining and positioning itself at the center of the California and American Dreams.

The exhibit features historical photographs and memorabilia along with contemporary artworks that tell stories of self-determination, leadership, geographic and social mobility, beauty and gender standards, and cultural identity.

African Americans helped define the practice and meaning of leisure in California as they faced challenges around who has access to nature, recreation, and public spaces.

Developed with Picnic Design. Red Cape Studio was hired to design the physical layout and structures for the exhibition.

Photographer: Elon Schoenholz