8 Seconds: Black Cowboys in Rodeo

Date and Time for this Past Event

• Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024  6pm - 8pm

Location

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Details

The Eiteljorg Museum is excited to invite you to a special unveiling of three artworks by photojournalist Ivan McClellan, recently added to our permanent collection.

Join us for an evening with Ivan as he talks about the inspiration behind his work, Black cowboy culture, rodeo, and professional bull riding, followed by a Q&A and autograph signing. A VIP preview reception for museum members will kick off the event.

Guests can enjoy light refreshments and a cash bar. The Western Art galleries and the Museum Store will also be open.

Schedule:

5:30 p.m. – We invite Museum members to a VIP preview reception for an exclusive opportunity to join Ivan, Eiteljorg President and CEO Katie Haigh, and Curator of Western Art Johanna Blume as they unveil Ivan’s photographs. Ivan will also share the stories behind the images. Members can enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and one complimentary drink.

6:00 p.m. – Doors open for all general admission guests.

6:30 p.m. – We welcome all guests into Clowes Expansion Court for remarks from Katie Haigh and Johanna Blume, followed by Ivan’s presentation on Black cowboy culture, rodeo, and professional bull riding. To end the evening, Ivan will take questions and host an autograph signing.

Not a member but want to attend the VIP Reception? Join today and take advantage of the many membership benefits, such as admission to special VIP member events like this. To join or renew your membership, visit Eiteljorg.org/Membership or contact Jennifer Hiatt at jhiatt@eiteljorg.com.

About Ivan: New York Times photojournalist and Kansas City native Ivan McClellan is the Founder and CEO of Eight Seconds and the Eight Seconds Rodeo and the creator of the Eight Seconds Project, a storytelling project with the goal of extending the cowboy icon to include people of color. While photographing the oldest annual Black rodeo in the United States – Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo – McClellan became enamored with the Black cowboy way of life and became dedicated to documenting this unique subculture.

Since 2015, Ivan’s work has helped tell the story of Black cowboys to a national audience, even working on campaigns with iconic Western brands such as Stetson, Wrangler, Boot Barn, and Tecovas. Eight Seconds showcases the grit and strength of the Black rodeo community and shines a light on the true heart of Black culture in America.

The museum will showcase one of Ivan’s photographs in the upcoming exhibition, Acts of Faith: Religion in the American West. The photo is part of a series titled Eight Seconds: Black Cowboys in America, which explores the Black cowboy experiences in the United States.