Event Details
Date & Time:
Sat February 28, 2026
12:30 PM-1:30 PM
Location:
The Block Museum of Art
40 Arts Circle Drive
Evanston, IL 60208
Audience:
Open to the public
Details:
Join the Block Museum Student Associates in our galleries for a close look at one or two works on view in Hamdia Traoré’s “Des marabouts de Djenné” and Muslim Portraiture in Mali. The exhibition offers perspectives on the storied city of Jenne, a center of Islamic learning, study, and scholarship since the twelfth century, and the hometown of Bamako-based photographer Hamdia Traoré (b. 1992, Mali). Learned and devout, marabouts teach in Jenne’s over 50 Qur’anic schools, offer spiritual guidance, and treat ailments through their knowledge of the Qur’an. Made during a time of political and social upheaval in Mali, the thirty portraits in Traore’s series reflect enduring cultural resilience, and his intimate connections to the city’s people and deep history.
Block Museum Student Associates (BMSAs) are Northwestern undergraduates representing interdisciplinary fields of study from across the university. In the galleries, BMSAs extend welcome to our exhibitions and permanent collection and engage visitors in conversations about artworks that spark their curiosity.
Participation level – medium, participants are encouraged to respectfully share their own perspectives, thoughts, and questions throughout the Art Talk.
Programs are open to all, on a first-come first-served basis. RSVPs not required, but appreciated.
About BMSA Facilitators
Alexa Murphy
Political Science (2028)
I’m a sophomore from Sleepy Hollow, NY, majoring in Political Science and International Studies. Art is so important to me, and while I’m not too skilled at visual mediums (though I’m known to sketch from time to time…), I love to sing and write poetry. I also love admiring the collections at art museums like The Block, The Whitney, and Mexico City’s Museum of Anthropology, among other favorites. I feel extremely fortunate to contribute to conversations surrounding not just the physical appearance of art, but the central role of art in our daily lives, relationships, and communities. I feel more fortunate to have these conversations with such awesome people with such a diverse range of experiences, and I’m so excited to advise and learn from my peers over the course of this year.
Serina Wood
Anthropology and Native American and Indigenous Studies (2027)
I’m Serina Wood, a third year majoring in Anthropology and Native American and Indigenous Studies. I love learning about how culture, history, and storytelling shape the ways people see the world. Art and museums have always felt like meaningful spaces for me, places where reflection, memory, and imagination come together. The Block is especially special because it brings these conversations to life in such intentional ways. I’m excited to be part of the BMSA program this year, and I look forward to connecting with others, learning deeply, and building community together.
Contact The Block Museum of Art for more information: (847) 491-4000 or email us at block-museum@northwestern.edu
