Take a look at previous years’ action!
Registration is required. Registration dates vary. Due to high demand, please register for only one session.
There are 6 upcoming classes.
Afrofuturism Teen Art Contest & Exhibit
Date: 01/27/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Grades 8-12 | CALLING ALL ARTISTS!
Submit your art and possible win a $50 Target Gift Card!
In celebration of Black History Month, showcase your creativity and explore the themes of Afrofuturism.
Your artwork could be featured in our Afrofuturism Art Exhibit, which coincides with a special author visit from author Lamar Giles. The winning artist, voted on my our staff, will win a $50 gift card and be recognized at our Lamar Giles author event on February 24 and 6pm.
Afrofuturism is a cultural, artistic, and intellectual movement that combines science fiction, fantasy, and speculative storytelling with themes of African and African American culture, heritage, and history. It envisions an empowered future for African Americans.
Participation allows you to contribute to an important conversation about representation and empowerment. We look forward to seeing your imagination come to life in this exciting and meaningful project.
CONTEST DETAILS
- Who: For students in grades 8 -12
- What: Painting, drawing, digital art, or mixed media, no larger than 16”x20”.
Themes to Explore
- Futuristic worlds inspired by African and African American culture
- Black joy, empowerment, and resilience
- Speculative or imaginative storytelling through art
Important dates
- Deadline: Monday, February 18
- Display: February 20 - 28, 2025.
- Pick up: March 7 - 31
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Deadline: Monday, February 18, 2025 by 9 pm
Drop off your art addressed to: Cheryl Grimes, at Miller Branch: 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, 21042. **Students MUST INCLUDE A COMPLETED RELEASE FORM, found on this page under "Attachments".
Pick Up: If your artwork is selected for our exhibit, you can pick it up March 7 - 31.
For questions or more information, contact Cheryl Grimes at [email protected]
INSPIRATION
Movies
- Black Panther
- See you Yesterday,
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Books
- The Getaway & Ruin Road by Lamar Giles
- The Beast Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi
- Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
- The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
- The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
- Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
- Shuri: A Black Panther Novel by Nic Stone
- Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
RUBRIC
Use these guidelines to keep your artwork focused on the theme of the exhibit. We will only accept artwork that meets the following criteria.
Theme Alignment: The artwork clearly represents Afrofuturism, incorporating science fiction, fantasy, or speculative storytelling with themes of African and African American culture, heritage, and history.
Creativity and Originality: The piece demonstrates unique and imaginative ideas that align with the exhibition’s celebration of black joy, resilience, and empowerment.
Cultural and Social Relevance: The submission celebrates or uplifts black perspectives, joy, and identity, aligning with the goals of Black History Month.
Completeness & Presentation and Readiness: The artwork appears thoughtfully completed, and appropriately prepared for display (e.g., clean, labeled, ready to hang or display).
Size: Art must be no larger than 16”x20”
We are looking forward to displaying your artwork at Miller!
For questions or more information, contact Cheryl Grimes at [email protected]
This event is part of Miller's Afrofuturism Series for Black History Month, see other events HERE.
This session is part of HCLS' Black History Month series. Please click here for the complete schedule of classes and events.
FAM=Fun at Miller
Friday in 3D
Date: 02/14/25Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Dive into 3D printing at our monthly teen club! Meet our Makerbot X, learn how to create your own 3D models, and work together with other teens to take your first steps into the world of 3D printing.
Friday in 3D is a monthly program dedicated to 11–18-year-olds and their curiosity for all things 3D. Please come ready to have fun and make friends.
See other activities at Savage here.
Afrofuturism Teen Art Contest Deadline
Date: 02/18/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Grades 8-12 | CALLING ALL ARTISTS!
Submit your art and possible win a $50 Target Gift Card!
In celebration of Black History Month, showcase your creativity and explore the themes of Afrofuturism.
Your artwork could be featured in our Afrofuturism Art Exhibit, which coincides with a special author visit from author Lamar Giles. The winning artist, voted on my our staff, will win a $50 gift card and be recognized at our Lamar Giles author event on February 24 and 6pm.
Afrofuturism is a cultural, artistic, and intellectual movement that combines science fiction, fantasy, and speculative storytelling with themes of African and African American culture, heritage, and history. It envisions an empowered future for African Americans.
Participation allows you to contribute to an important conversation about representation and empowerment. We look forward to seeing your imagination come to life in this exciting and meaningful project.
CONTEST DETAILS
- Who: For students in grades 8 -12
- What: Painting, drawing, digital art, or mixed media, no larger than 16”x20”.
Themes to Explore
- Futuristic worlds inspired by African and African American culture
- Black joy, empowerment, and resilience
- Speculative or imaginative storytelling through art
Important dates
- Deadline: Monday, February 18
- Display: February 20 - 28, 2025.
- Pick up: March 7 - 31
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Deadline: Monday, February 18, 2025 by 9 pm
Drop off your art addressed to: Cheryl Grimes, at Miller Branch: 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, 21042. **Students MUST INCLUDE A COMPLETED RELEASE FORM, found on this page under "Attachments".
Pick Up: If your artwork is selected for our exhibit, you can pick it up March 7 - 31.
For questions or more information, contact Cheryl Grimes at [email protected]
INSPIRATION
Movies
- Black Panther
- See you Yesterday,
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Books
- The Getaway & Ruin Road by Lamar Giles
- The Beast Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi
- Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
- The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
- The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
- Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
- Shuri: A Black Panther Novel by Nic Stone
- Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
RUBRIC
Use these guidelines to keep your artwork focused on the theme of the exhibit. We will only accept artwork that meets the following criteria.
Theme Alignment: The artwork clearly represents Afrofuturism, incorporating science fiction, fantasy, or speculative storytelling with themes of African and African American culture, heritage, and history.
Creativity and Originality: The piece demonstrates unique and imaginative ideas that align with the exhibition’s celebration of black joy, resilience, and empowerment.
Cultural and Social Relevance: The submission celebrates or uplifts black perspectives, joy, and identity, aligning with the goals of Black History Month.
Completeness & Presentation and Readiness: The artwork appears thoughtfully completed, and appropriately prepared for display (e.g., clean, labeled, ready to hang or display).
Size: Art must be no larger than 16”x20”
We are looking forward to displaying your artwork at Miller!
For questions or more information, contact Cheryl Grimes at [email protected]
This event is part of Miller's Afrofuturism Series for Black History Month, see other events HERE.
This session is part of HCLS' Black History Month series. Please click here for the complete schedule of classes and events.
FAM=Fun at Miller
What is Afrofuturism with Kevin Strait, NMAAHC Curator | Hybrid Watch Party
Date: 02/20/25Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Teens, Adults, Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
All ages | Registration suggested, walk-ins welcome while space allows. Want to watch with others? Come to Miller's live watch party.
*This is an IN PERSON "watch party" at Miller for the virtual Zoom event. Prefer to attend online? Register here for the Zoom link.
What is Afrofuturism?
Museum curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, Kevin Strait, discusses his past exhibit "Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures", shares the history of Afrofuturism, and how it "has evolved as a concept, philosophy, multimedia genre, aesthetic, and cultural movement. It explores Black identity, agency, and freedom through art and creative works that envision liberated futures for Black life." - NMAAHC
This event is part of Miller's Afrofuturism Series for Black History Month, see other events HERE. Visit Miller between February 20-28, to view the Afrofuturism Student Art Contest & Exhibit.
This session is part of HCLS' Black History Month series. Please click here for the complete schedule of classes and events.
About the author:
Kevin Strait is a museum curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. Since 2010, he has worked in the museum’s Office of Curatorial Affairs and was part of the core team that acquired objects and developed content for several of the museum’s permanent exhibitions and interpretive spaces. He currently stewards the NMAAHC's collections related to 20th century political and social history and African American popular culture. He curated the temporary exhibition, Afrofuturism - A History of Black Futures, the 2023 winner of the Smithsonian's Excellence in Exhibitions Award and is the co-editor of the exhibition's award-winning companion publication. Strait is a graduate of Wesleyan University and received his Ph.D. in American Studies from the George Washington University.
FAM: Fun at Miller
Reel Talk: Movies at the Library
Date: 02/28/25Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: Art, Movies & Music
Description:
Celebrate Black History Month with an after school movie and snacks provided by the library. Come with friends or make friends while you're there!
This month's movie is Remember the Titans, a biographical sports drama loosely based on the real life events of Herman Boone and the integration of a high school football team in Virginia, 1971.
See other activities at Savage here.
Here is a brief synopsis of the movie below, provided by IMDb:
In 1971, Virginia high-school football was everything to the people of Alexandria, but when the school board was forced to integrate an all-Black school with an all-white one, the foundation of football's tradition was put to the test.
Here is also a link to the movie's page on Common Sense Media, for anyone that is looking for content guidelines.
Celebrating the Joy of Maryland Spring Flowers
Date: 03/08/25Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Teens, Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Are you looking for that special splash of spring joy? Come enjoy a romp through Maryland Piedmont spring flowers that can beautify your landscape. We all love daffodils, but here is more to look forward to in the springtime. How about Golden Alexanders, Bleeding Hearts and Jack-in-the-Pulpits? What colorful names! Come learn from the Master Gardeners how to grow them, why they are so special, and about our native pollinators that depend on them.
This class is part of the Seed Library Series
