Meet Asmaa Walton

An interview with the founder of the Black Art Library

Meet Asmaa Walton - illustration 1

Asmaa Walton

Detroit native and New York University graduate Asmaa Walton is a committed arts educator and art lover. In February of 2020 she founded the Black Art Library, a public art collection and research library, which aims to promote accessibility and education for local communities to engage with Black art and Black art history. The collection is located in Detroit, Michigan but also has an extensive outreach on their Instagram platform, where they educate virtually. 

This archive of global Black creativity includes artists' monographs, children's books, artists' memoirs and biographies, in addition to art history texts. Asmaa hopes collecting such material will help conserve Black visual history and aesthetics and will make up for the gaps left by traditional art institutes and museums to invest in local communities. We interviewed her to find out more about her and the Black Art Library initiative.

1. Hi Asmaa! You're the founder of Black Art Library. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your organization?

Hey! Yes, I'm the founder of Black Art Library which is a project that I started in February 2020. The goal was to create a collection of books all about Black visual arts across the diaspora that could be a community educational resource. Since 2020 I have collected close to 500 books for the library through donated funds as well as book donations. The project has been exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and will soon be exhibited in Cleveland (keep an eye out for more information on this soon)! I'm just super excited to see what the future holds for the library.

A little about me: I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in Arts Politics from New York University. For the past few years I have worked in museums in different roles but more recently I have been focused on continuing to grow this project!

Meet Asmaa Walton - illustration 1
Meet Asmaa Walton - illustration 1

The Black Art Library in Detroit / Right: A copy of "Portraits" by Bisa Butler, a book in the collection

2. What inspired you to create your organization?

I was always interested in figuring out ways to teach my peers who might not be “into art" about art. I would always try to do different things on social media but it was always hit or miss. One day, I thought about maybe creating a resource that could help teach about Black art. Art books seemed like the perfect way to do this especially because I had been intrigued with them for a few years. I had a few really cool ones in my personal collection so I knew there were more out there, I wanted to find them.

3. What are your favorite pieces of art or art literature in your own collection?

I actually donated all of my art books to the library's collection when I started but recently I've started to buy a few for myself! I bought a copy of Art Romare Bearden Prevalence Ritual by Washington Bunch and to my surprise it was signed! That might be my favorite out of the few that I have.

4. One of our shared goals is accessibility to fine art and art history. Can you speak to your decision to broach this through books and reading? It's such a tactile and impactful way to promote art education.

I think that art books are a super accessible way to see art, for one. There are certain works of art that you may never get to see in person but seeing the full color image in a catalogue or art history book is the next best thing! But, I find that art books are normally super inaccessible for people to actually buy because of the cost. By creating a library with these books for everyone to use, it can help remove at least that one barrier.

Meet Asmaa Walton - illustration 1
Meet Asmaa Walton - illustration 1

Left: The Black Art Library in Detroit / Right: A copy of "Black Male" by Thelma Golden, a book in the collection

5. What's one piece of advice you would give to someone hoping to get involved in the art world, but is perhaps weary because of its historic exclusivity?

Do your Googles! A lot of what I've learned was because I had to seek out some answers on my own. I think once you start to learn a little more about the art world it can be empowering and encourage you to keep exploring. Let that exploration lead you to your local museum. It may give you an idea of what you like or might be interested in. Once you start to learn those things you can have so much fun with art. Jot down names of any artists that might stick out to you. Take mental notes of what is really capturing your attention. Paintings, sculptures, photography? Then, when you get home, do your googles again!

6. How do you see the art world growing and changing in the future?

One thing that I've noticed is how arts institutions have had to get creative with programming. I think digital programming will continue to grow a bit quicker than we expected before due to the pandemic.

Another thing that I'm hoping for is obviously more accessibility and representation within the mainstream art world, including its institutions. It seems like there are some genuine attempts being made but I want to see way more within the next 3-5 years.

7. How can followers learn more about upcoming projects and donate or become more involved?

The Black Art Library's Instagram account is the one stop shop for all things going on. I am always available for questions via direct message!


Auswahl von Kunstwerken

Drucke, Tar Beach #2, Faith Ringgold

Tar Beach #2

Faith Ringgold

Drucke - 99.1 x 94 x 2.5 cm

Verkauft

Drucke, Mecklenburg Morning: Sunrise for China lamp, Romare Bearden

Mecklenburg Morning: Sunrise for China lamp

Romare Bearden

Drucke - 88.9 x 109.2 x 0.3 cm

3.500 $

Drucke, Early Carolina Morning, Romare Bearden

Early Carolina Morning

Romare Bearden

Drucke - 66 x 83.8 x 0.3 cm

2.500 $

Gemälde, Virgin, Moses Nyawanda

Virgin

Moses Nyawanda

Gemälde - 95 x 93 x 2 cm

2.146 $

Drucke, Recall, Lorna Simpson

Recall

Lorna Simpson

Drucke - 76.2 x 55.9 x 0.3 cm

9.500 $

Drucke, Paris est propre, Chéri Samba

Paris est propre

Chéri Samba

Drucke - 55.9 x 76.2 cm

Verkauft

Fotografien, A nous trois avec sacs et lunettes, Malick Sidibé

A nous trois avec sacs et lunettes

Malick Sidibé

Fotografien - 24 x 18.5 cm

Verkauft

Fotografien, Child's Play, Thandiwe Muriu

Child's Play

Thandiwe Muriu

Fotografien - 150 x 100 x 3 cm

Verkauft

Drucke, Two Men Sporting Waves, Hebru Brantley

Two Men Sporting Waves

Hebru Brantley

Drucke - 76 x 97 cm

4.950 $ 3.465 $

Fotografien, Bad Habits - Greed, Ebuka Michael

Bad Habits - Greed

Ebuka Michael

Fotografien - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm

1.468 $

Gemälde, Fin d'études, Moke fils

Fin d'études

Moke fils

Gemälde - 88 x 106 cm

1.581 $

Fotografien, Camo 11, Thandiwe Muriu

Camo 11

Thandiwe Muriu

Fotografien - 90 x 60 x 0.3 cm

7.905 $

Gemälde, Untitled, Lulama Wolf

Untitled

Lulama Wolf

Gemälde - 59 x 49 x 2 cm

2.372 $

Gemälde, Elula, Lulama Wolf

Elula

Lulama Wolf

Gemälde - 30 x 21 x 2 cm

Verkauft