Elijah Gibson’s ‘The Blueprint’ Celebrates Impact of Black Innovators

An exhibition that highlights the creativity and impact of Black innovators will be featured in “The Blueprint,” starting Friday and continuing through Feb. 28 at the Kimbell Cultural Event Center in Downtown Bryan.

All are welcome and invited to attend this free event, which includes dance performances. It was organized and curated by Elijah Alhadji Gibson, M.F.A., assistant professor in Dance in the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts, with Jessica Erin Ray, Ph.D., instructional associate professor in the Department of History and associate director of the Melbern G. Glasscock Center for Humanities Research.

Opening night will start at 5 p.m. with an exhibition walk-through, performances and a dance class. On Feb. 11, highlights include a guided tour and a performance. Guests can explore the history of Black innovators and reflect on their lasting impact, Gibson said.

“As a creative, I’m always looking for opportunities to pay homage and highlight the diverse ways Black Americans have impacted the world,” Gibson said. “As we move further from the past, it becomes easy for these stories and contributions to be forgotten. Earlier generations of Black inventors and innovators were creating without legal protections or access to patents, leaving much of their impact overlooked or taken. I also think it’s important that we tell our own stories. When they’re told through someone else’s lens, our lived experiences are often misrepresented. This work is about making sure those contributions aren’t lost.”

“The Blueprint” is Gibson’s third such installment to be accompanied by dance performances. In 2024, “Dance of America” centered around the history of Black dancers. Last year’s installation, “The Heartbeat: A Cultural Revival,” paid homage to the Harlem Renaissance.

“The Blueprint” showcase includes images and descriptions of inventions in areas including home and daily life; health, medicine and safety; transportation, engineering and industry; technology, communication and computing; and toys, recreation and consumer products.

Among the featured inventors are Sarah Boone, who improved the ironing of women’s clothing; Alexander Miles, who developed an improved design for automatic elevator doors; and George Crum, who is reputed to have created potato chips.

Gibson said his work highlighting Black inventors is rooted in a commitment to acknowledging the contributions of Black Americans.

“I hope young Black children and young Black people can see themselves reflected in this work,” he said. “Understanding how their legacy has shaped this country matters, but it’s also important that others are able to learn from it and recognize those contributions. That kind of recognition can be powerful, and it’s about experiencing the joy that comes from knowing you belong in that history.”

Opening Night: Friday, Feb. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.

At 5 p.m., guests can attend a walk-through of the exhibition led by Ray, as she offers insight into themes, curatorial framework and historical background. A Q&A session follows.

Seven performances by students in the Dance program will begin at 6 p.m., highlighting a range of choreographic voices and embodied approaches, Gibson said.

At 7 p.m., Gibson will lead a dance class that explores dance traditions, with audience participation encouraged.

Guided Tour and Performance: Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Gibson’s Houston-based company Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater will perform, followed by a guided tour of the exhibition.

Details: The installation is on display through Feb. 28 at the Kimbell Cultural Event Center, 607 N. Main St. in Bryan. Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more details and information, visit “The Blueprint” website.