SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- San Bernardino County Museum is pleased to present “The Afro, a
historical view: From the Afro Comb to the Crown Act.” The show opens Thursday,
January 30 and runs through March 1, 2020. A museum member reception takes
place on Thursday, February 6, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
Curated by Leah Goodwin, the exhibit tells the story of
Dr. Willie L. Morrow, barber, creator of the Afro Pick comb, and author
of 400 years Without a Comb. The exhibit includes artifacts that document
the story of this beauty phenomenon, and features artworks by renowned African
American artists Ernie Barnes and Albert Fennel.
Morrow, born in Tuscaloosa, AL in
1940, became a barber at age twelve. He relocated to San Diego, opened his own
barber shop, and quickly began inventing tools, formulating products,
developing techniques, writing, and teaching. At just 22 years old, Morrow
carved his first Afro Pick comb out of wooden dowels. Shortly thereafter, he
produced a plastic injection version of the Afro Pick comb, the first
commercially produced in the United States, which became a household item and
recognized political icon the world over. Several years later, the United
States military contracted Morrow to train barbers and beauticians in the U.S.,
Europe, and Asia on the intricacies of cutting and styling Afro-textured hair.
Morrow’s collection is comprised
of tools that he designed, was inspired by, and used in his barber shop;
products and books that he collected in order to improve his own formulations;
illustrations, paintings, and photographs he commissioned for the books and
pamphlets on hair care and history that he wrote and published; and other
related artifacts.
Guest Curator Leah Goodwin is a prolific curator, serving in many arts
organizations including the Museum of Children’s Art in Oakland, VSA Arts of
California, Aesthetics, Inc., and Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation in
San Diego. Most recently, she has served as Director of Museum and Education
for the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, where she presented 17
exhibitions over four years.
The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional
cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and
programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts,
culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents
and visitors.
The San Bernardino County Museum
is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10
in Redlands. The exhibit and the exhibit opening reception are included with
general admission. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student),
and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members
are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The museum
is accessible to persons with disabilities.