The Legend of John Brown: Serigraphs by Jacob Lawrence
Through December 6, 2009
Ohio Historical Center

A series of contemporary prints by the late African American artist Jacob Lawrence depicts the story of abolitionist John Brown's raid on the federal armory at Harper's Ferry 150 years ago this October.

The Legend of John Brown: Serigraphs by Jacob Lawrence, at the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus starting Sept. 5, features 22 colorful silk-screen prints telling the story of abolitionist John Brown, whose Oct. 16, 1859 raid with 21 men on the federal armory at Harper's Ferry, W. Va. (Virginia at the time), set the stage for the Civil War. The state of Virginia charged Brown with treason. The court found Brown guilty and sentenced him to death. On Dec. 2, 1859, he was hanged. Brown, who was spent most of his youth in Hudson, Ohio, became a martyr for many Northerners.

The exhibition runs through Dec. 6, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of Brown's raid. It is one in a series of companion exhibits chosen to complement Soul: Art from the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, a major exhibition of work by African American artists on display at the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus through Feb. 28, 2010.