Museum & Science Center > Exhibits
Take It Down! Organizing Against Racism
View the “pickaninny” panel removed from Rochester’s Dentzel Carousel and explore the important lessons it provides on racism in our community.
This traveling exhibit is currently on display at FIGHT Village! Visit the award-winning exhibit to explore the key lessons it provides on racism in our community. See below for further details about the award.
About the Exhibit
What is racism and how can it hide in plain sight? Explore the story of one local carousel panel and join in the meaningful dialogue it encourages on individual, institutional and structural racism.
In 2016, a panel featuring racial “pickaninny” artwork was removed from the Dentzel Carousel at Ontario Beach Park in Rochester, NY, after being on display for over 100 years. This issue generated controversy in our community and activists have created an exhibit around the piece to show how pickaninny art perpetuates racism by denying the humanity of black children.
Presented in partnership with the City of Rochester, this exhibit is an important opportunity to learn from the past and work together to promote social justice for all. Join in the conversation by viewing the panel at one of its future community locations or participate in one of the partner programs.
A New Panel for the Dentzel Carousel
After a period of community submissions and voting, a new carousel panel has been selected to replace the one featured in this exhibition.
Artist Michael DeLuca submitted the selected panel rendering, pictured here, and the panel has been created and installed.
Photo Credit: Michael DeLuca
2019 MUSEUM ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK (MANY) “ENGAGING COMMUNITIES” AWARD
At the 2019 Museum Association of New York (MANY) conference, the Take it Down Planning Committee and RMSC partnership received the Engaging Communities Award for their work on the Take It Down: Organizing Against Racism exhibit and related programs. This award is a part of MANY’s Awards of Merit series and recognizes outstanding and innovative programs, staff, and volunteers who have enriched New York State museums with new and remarkable projects.
Collaboration with the Take It Down Planning Committee was critical to the exhibit’s success. Their leadership and dedication to the project were integral in bringing the exhibit to life and challenging our community to examine the ways in which structural racism influence and inform institutional norms. Through our partnership, the Take It Down Planning Committee, City of Rochester, and RMSC were able to transform a racist object into an ongoing anti-racist educational dialogue and process for our community. Importantly, this work has moved the RMSC toward a model for more authentic community collaboration, including shared authority and decision-making.
PAST PROGRAMS
Carousel Panel Exhibit Educational Programs
Thursday, March 7 | 6:30–8:30pm
Central Church of Christ, 101 S. Plymouth Avenue
Working Towards Racial Justice in Rochester
Wednesday, Jan. 23 | 6:30–9pm
Community of the Savior, 4 East Henrietta Road (College Town)
Sunday, April 29 | 2–4pm
Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Ave.
Community Opening and Reception
Saturday, Jan. 19 | 2–4pm
Community of the Savior, 4 East Henrietta Road (College Town)
Working Towards Racial Justice in Rochester
Monday, Jan. 8 | 5–7pm
Phillis Wheatley Community Library, 33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way
Working Towards Racial Justice in Rochester
Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 5–7pm
Phillis Wheatley Community Library, 33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way
Working Towards Racial Justice in Rochester
Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 5–7pm
Phillis Wheatley Community Library, 33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way
Community Opening and Reception
Thursday, Nov. 9 | 4–6pm
Phillis Wheatley Community Library, 33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way
Community Opening and Reception
Friday, Sept. 8 | 6-8pm
First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 Winton Road South
Working Towards Racial Justice in Rochester
Thursdays, Sept. 14 and 28; Oct. 19 | 7–9pm
First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 Winton Road South
INTERESTED IN FUTURE PROGRAM PARTNERSHIPS?
If your organization is interested in being a future program partner, please submit your information here and we will contact you to discuss program plans.