Exploring “The Power of Music”

The Cleveland Museum of Art

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• Date Friday, April 18, 2025
• Time 5:45PM - 6:45PM
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Discover the cultural gem of University Circle at the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA). Immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of artistic history and innovation. Established in 1913, the museum has been a cornerstone of our vibrant community for over... more

The Power of Music has long been an audience favorite at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Join us for this special gallery talk to learn the real-life story of Robbin Mills, the Black man featured in the painting. American painter William Sydney Mount created vivid genre scenes of rural life on Long Island in the 1800s, often featuring laborers, people of color, and musicians. It is less commonly known that Mount’s paintings depicted real people who were part of the community and connected to the place that inspired his art. In this talk, Vivian Nicholson-Mueller, coauthor of The Art of William Sidney Mount: Long Island People of Color on Canvas and descendant of Mills, offers audiences insight into Mill’s life, her research process with coauthor Katherine Kirkpatrick, and the family lineage that connects this artwork to living descendants today. Space is limited, and a free ticket is required.