Special exhibition coming to the International African American Museum

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Charleston, S.C. — The International African American Museum (IAAM) will host a special exhibition by Fletcher Williams III: “When It Rains It Shines.” The exhibition will open on Thursday, August 31 and will be on display through December 3, 2023. The exhibition is made possible by support from Bank of America.

In “When It Rains It Shines,” Williams constructs a labyrinth of personal memories, rituals, and sacred hideaways using sculpture, sound, and light. It is both a dreamscape and a psychedelic vision of what it is to be in and of the South. Both disorienting and inviting, this immersive installation offers visitors an opportunity to interact with the South in new and thought-provoking ways.

An opening reception, hosted by IAAM, will be held on Wednesday, August 30, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This reception is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Those interested in attending can register here, or at iaamuseum.org/events.

On October 11, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., the public is invited to join Williams at IAAM as he discusses his journey and the myriad personal and cultural landscapes that inform his first solo museum exhibition, “When It Rains It Shines.” Williams will be in conversation with award-winning journalist, art critic, and curator, Chase Quinn. Space is limited, register here or at iaamuseum.org/events.

Fletcher Williams III is a multi-disciplinary artist from Charleston, S.C. His work has been featured in multiple group shows and solo exhibitions throughout the country. His conceptual art-making practice is rooted in Southern vernacular. Williams earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Cooper Union for the Advancement in Science and Art, where he studied drawing, painting, sculpture, print-making, and graphic design. While the core of Williams’ education focused on producing multimedia artwork, he devoted much time to studying social anthropology, the foundation of which continues to influence his work. Williams’ professional career began with a studio in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, N.Y., where he produced work for several solo and group exhibitions and worked as a freelance graphic designer. In 2013 Williams returned home to North Charleston, S.C., and re-introduced himself with a self-produced solo exhibition, Souvenir (2015).

The International African American Museum (IAAM) explores the history, culture, and impact of the African American journey on Charleston, on the nation, and on the world, shining light and sharing stories of the diverse journeys, origin, and achievements of descendants of the African Diaspora. Across 11 galleries and a memorial garden with art, objects, artifacts, and multi-media interaction, IAAM is a champion of authentic, empathetic storytelling of American history. As a result, the museum will stand as one of the nation’s newest platforms for the disruption of institutionalized racism as it evolves today. The mission of IAAM is to honor the untold stories of the African American journey at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf and beyond. For more information, please visit iaamuseum.org or call 843-872-5352.