June: Jubilee & Proud and Free
Jubilee: A Celebration of Black Artists
Throughout the month of June, the Mobile Arts Council will celebrate Juneteenth by highlighting and honoring Black artists from across the Mobile area.
Juneteenth, officially recognized as a federal holiday, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. On June 19, 1865, more than two months after the end of the Civil War, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that enslaved people were free and that the war had ended. His proclamation enforced the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, making June 19 a powerful symbol of freedom, resilience, and progress. The holiday is also known as Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day, and Emancipation Day.
The Mobile Arts Council is committed to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming arts community. Through Jubilee, we seek to celebrate the creativity, talent, and cultural contributions of Black artists while providing a platform for their voices, stories, and artistic achievements. We invite the community to join us in recognizing the rich artistic heritage and ongoing impact of Black artists in Mobile and beyond.
Proud and Free: Honoring LGBTQ+ Artists & Allies
Throughout the month of June, the Mobile Arts Council (MAC) is proud to present Proud and Free, celebrating LGBTQ+ artists and allies while recognizing the contributions, creativity, and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month is observed annually in June to honor the history, achievements, and cultural impact of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other LGBTQ+ individuals. Pride Month traces its roots to the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969 in New York City, a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. The events at Stonewall helped spark a broader movement for equality and visibility, transforming LGBTQ+ rights into an issue of national and international significance.
Today, Pride Month is celebrated around the world through exhibitions, festivals, educational programs, community gatherings, and cultural events that recognize both the progress made and the work that remains in advancing equality and inclusion. It is also a time to honor those whose courage, advocacy, and contributions have helped shape a more equitable society.
The Mobile Arts Council is committed to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming arts community. Through Proud and Free, we aim to showcase the remarkable talent of LGBTQ+ artists in the Mobile area, amplify diverse voices and perspectives, and celebrate the role that art plays in building understanding, connection, and community.
Jubilee & Proud and Free exhibits will hang in the MAC Gallery, Room 1927 at 6 South Joachim Street in Mobile, from June 3 through June 30, 2026. Gallery hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.
*The MAC Gallery will be closed the entirety of June 16th , and on June 17th until 1:00 p.m. for a private event.*
A public reception will be held during Artwalk from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on June 12th.
Please email Sydney Cramer at scramer@mobilearts.org with any questions.