Raggin’ On: The Art of Aminah Robinson’s House and Journals
Columbus Museum of Art
Members always receive free admission to special exhibitions
November 21, 2020 – October 3, 2021
In 2015, Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson bequeathed almost her entire estate to CMA. For several years, CMA documented that gift and the vast amount of art, journals, and other ephemera that remained in her house. Raggin’ On: The Art of Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson’s House and Journals is the first major exhibition of the artist’s work since her death and a celebration of Robinson’s work, vision and the home, and neighborhood she cherished.
Raggin’ On presents seven decades of Aminah Robinson’s art and writing. The exhibition invites visitors to experience the artist’s home and creative processes and to better understand her intention “to celebrate the everyday lives and culture of Black people and their endurance through centuries of injustice.” In addition to Robinson’s art, this exhibition includes furnishings she made for her house; books from her impressive library; collections of buttons, fabrics, canes, dolls, and thimbles; art she traded with other artists; and photo enlargements of her living spaces and studios. Complementing the visceral experience reflective of the artist’s home, visitors will explore their own stories and peruse Robinson’s journals.
The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue with more than 200 illustrations and with essays by Curators Carole Genshaft and Deidre Hamlar and additional scholars including Lisa Gail Collins, Ramona Austin, Lisa Farrington, Debra Priestly, and William McDaniel.
Studio Workshops for Young Learners and Adults
We have an Aminah Studio in a Box kit that can be ordered here. This kit can be used for the Studio Workshops offered weekly, which are free and open to families and children grades 1 – 8.
Aminah Activity Journals
“Aminah Robinson hoped that her work would “rag on,” as those who view it add to the story. At home, use this activity journal to carry on her artistic legacy.
If you plan on printing the journal double-sided, please go to your printer settings and make sure you choose “Short Edge Bind” as the 2-sided option. Share what you’ve put in your Aminah Robinson activity journal on social media by tagging us @columbusmuseum and use the hashtag #MyCMA.”
Aminah Robinson inspired activity journals can be found in the Raggin’ On exhibition and printed from home. The journal encourages participants to imagine and create alongside Robinson’s artistic journey. Download the printable version here, or pick up a journal when you are able to experience the exhibition in-person.
Download Aminah Activity Journal
Programming Sponsor:
Explore More of Aminah Robinson’s Art Online
See the Raggin’ On Virtual Exhibition Tour!
Check out this video tour of Aminah’s Renovated Home Studio:
Learn more about the Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson Legacy Project (ABLR Legacy Project)
View additional works in our collection by Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson
Columbus poet Scott Woods captured Aminah’s spirit in a vibrant poem. Here is the poem and some of the objects and scenes that inspired it
Support Raggin’ On: The Art of Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson’s House and Journals
In appreciation of your support, you will be recognized on the exhibition donor wall and other print materials; receive a copy of the exhibition catalogue; and be invited for a variety of special programs, including a special curator-led tour, throughout the run of the exhibition. To join our list of generous Sponsors, click below, and please include “Aminah Sponsor” and the name by which you choose to be recognized in the comments box.
Thank you exhibition supporters!
Exhibition Chairs
Trudy & Earl Bartley
Joyce & Otto Beatty
Maureen S. Black
Michael & Janelle Coleman
Loann Crane
Gigi & Sam Fried
June & David Hamlar
Larry & Donna James
Wayne Lawson & Bill Mitchell
Mariette & Rob Polite
Charles & Joyce Shenk
Catherine T. Willis
Presenting Sponsors
Mark & Mindy Corna
Premier Sponsors
CoverMyMeds
Loann Crane
Equitas Health
Ann & Tom Hoaglin
Aaron & Marshela McDaniel
Peg & Alan Scantland
Arlene & Michael Weiss
Major Sponsors
Pam & Jack Beeler
Brainstorm Media, Inc.
Beth Crane & Richard McKee
Envisage Wealth
Barbara Hackman
Larry & Donna James
Elizabeth S. Johnson Family Trust
The Manley Family
Moody Nolan
Seanna & Matt Walter
Hugh Westwater & Linda Larrimer
Champion Sponsors
Robert S. Copeland
Herb & DeeDee Glimcher
Tom & Mary Katzenmeyer
Frank & Susan Mott
Annegreth T. Nill
Smoot Construction Company
Steve & Holly Wittmann
Skip & Karen Yassenoff
Experience Sponsors
Lucy Ackley & Robert Collier
Dr. R. Earl Bartley & Trudy Bartley
Joyce & Otto Beatty
John Bevilacqua & Colleen Byrne
Dr. Maureen S. Black
Michael & Janelle Coleman
Jodi Cooley & Jo Hickman
Georgeann C. Corey
Mimi Dane
Steve & DeeDee English
Paul Feeney & Chad Braun
Howard Fradkin & Peter Kengeter
Gigi & Sam Fried
Carole & Nelson Genshaft
David & June Hamlar
HOMAGE, LLC
Robin & Mark Howard
Dr. M. Beth Hunker
Wendy & Chris Johnson
Gisela Josenhans & Children
Ira & Debby Kane
Catherine & Steve Kennedy
Sandra A. Kight
Gale V. King
Monica & Doug Kridler
Nancy & Thomas Lurie
Wayne Lawson & Bill Mitchell
Mary Lazarus
Nannette & George Maciejunes
Jeff Mackey
Lisa McLymont & Cat Sheridan
Robert & Mariette Polite
Bob Roehm Foundation Fund
Rosanne & Mark Rosen
Karla Rothan & Linda Schuler
Susan & Rocky Saxbe
Charles & Joyce Shenk
Jeannie Sperling & Dr. Sam Kiner
Alex & Renée Shumate
Tom Szykowny & Susan Dutton
Ireena & Alan Weinberg
Catherine T. Willis
Tom & Pam Workman
Edward & Ellen Yen Family Fund
Lisa & Stuart Young
This exhibition is supported in part by a major Art Works grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Ongoing support provided by:
Image: Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson, Incantations (from Themba: A Life of Grace and Hope series) (detail), 1996-2012. Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio: Estate of the artist.
