“Give Us the Ballot,” a selection of quotes by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on voting and engagement, including an excerpt from his 1957 speech, “Give us the Ballot.”  Originally presented in conjunction with “Our Voting Rights: The Struggle Continues,” the Town of Brookline’s virtual event that celebrated MLK Day 2022. To view the celebration, coordinated by Brookline’s MLK Celebration Committee, visit anytime https://www.brooklinema.gov/465/MLK-Celebration-Committee.

This exhibit has been extended through February 14 to mark Black History Month.

Image: John Wilson, Martin Luther King Jr. (2002), Courtesy of Martha Richardson Fine Art, Boston

Special Thanks: Sarah Collier and Jack Curtis

An exhibit by Brookline author Sarah Smith at the Brookline Village Library in the Foundation and Lobby Cases

In times like these, we need comfort and inspiration. Local authors and people round the Internet share the books, old and new, that have comforted and inspired them. Local authors talk about why they write, and do other creative things, during this time.

What books have inspired and comforted you?

A booklist is available on the Lobby Case.

Photo Credit: Joyce Shan

Special Thanks: Sarah Collier

The Emery Case display presents the recent work of freelance writer Jack Curtis in Art New England, a contemporary art and culture magazine. His report, “Re-thinking, Re-telling, Re-installing” (Art New England, November/December 2021) marks the 60th anniversary of Brandeis University’s Rose Art Gallery and surveys “re: collections,” the Rose’s innovative exhibition that displays canonical artists alongside emerging and historically underrepresented artists.

Curtis focuses his writing on history, art history and on socio-political and literary themes. His features, essays, and reviews have also appeared in publications such as the Boston Globe, Harvard magazine, Technology Review, and the Los Angeles Times. He served for six years on the Brookline Commission for the Arts and currently serves on the town’s MLK Day Celebration Committee. 

NOTE: For complete copies of the articles, contact Jack at jack.curtis1789@gmail.com.

Photo Credit: Joyce Shan

Special Thanks: Sarah Collier

November is Native American Heritage Month; a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people.  It is also an opportune time to learn more about various tribes, the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, treaties, and the contributions Indigenous people have made to American government and culture.

The items displayed in this exhibit are on loan from the North American Indian Center of Boston, as well as individuals in the Native community.

For more information on the North American Indian Center of Boston, please visit www.naicob.org.

Photo credit: Joyce Shan

Special thanks: Sarah Collier