The Black Panthers: Making Sense of History
Photography by Stephen Shames

@ Odegaard Undergraduate Library & Learning Commons
April 2, 2008 - May 31, 2008

[ Building Hours ]

During the height of the Black Panther movement, from 1967 to 1973, photographer Stephen Shames had unprecedented access to the organization and captured not only its public face, but also unscripted behind-the-scenes moments of Black Panther Party members.

The traveling photographic exhibition The Black Panthers: Making Sense of History provides an electrifying visual history of the Black Panthers as photographed by Stephen Shames. These images are further illustrated in his book The Black Panthers: Photographs by Stephen Shames with essay by Charles E. Jones; preface by Stephen Shames; and foreword by Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale.  [Stephen Shames Biography]

The exhibition is installed on the first and second floors of the library consisting of 47 contemporary exhibition prints, and comes to Odegaard coinciding with the 40th anniversary of diversity activities on campus. The Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party played an instrumental role in those early campus diversity initiatives. The Seattle chapter will celebrate their 40-year reunion April 25-26.

Exhibit Related Activities:

Black Panthers Film Series
Mondays, April 7 - May 19, 2008, Noon - 1pm
Odegaard Undergraduate Library, Room 220

View selected films chronicling the history and impact of the Black Panther Party.
Film List [PDF]
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When Words Were Not Enough: The University of Washington and The Black Panthers
THURSDAY, April 24, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington

A panel program featuring Seattle activist and co-founder of the Seattle Black Panther Party chapter Aaron Dixon and King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, who were involved in early diversity efforts at the University of Washington, will be held at the Henry Art Gallery on the UW campus. Other program participants include Sheila Edwards Lange, UW Vice President for Minority Affairs and Vice Provost for Diversity, James Gregory, panel moderator and Director, Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project, and Janet Jones who coordinated the Seattle Black Panther Party History and Memory Project.

Free tickets available at the Henry admissions desk beginning Thursday, April 17. Seating is limited. First come, first served.
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Walk-through with Stephen Shames
FRIDAY, April 25, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Odegaard Undergraduate Library

Join photographer and author, Stephen Shames in a walk-through presentation on the photo exhibit. Assemble at the Odegaard Information Desk for the walk-through presentation.
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The exhibit and all activities are open to the public.