The Duluth exhibit marks the centennial of Jean Birkenstein Washington (1926-2003), an artist and activist who would have turned 100 this year. Nineteen of her paintings are on display at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth through June 30, following a May 24 reception. Her son, Robin Washington, spoke at the event alongside Amy Varsek, former exhibitions director at the Duluth Art Institute, who curated a 2019 exhibit of Jean's work. Jean, a German Jewish woman who married a Black Mexican man, was a Chicago Public Schools art teacher and a civil rights activist who used school district maps to expose segregation. Her artwork includes portraits and documentary scenes, such as "The Fight" and "Slave Father."
This exhibit matters because it seeks to elevate Jean Birkenstein Washington's legacy as a significant artist, beyond her well-known activism. Robin Washington hopes her work will be acquired by a major institution like the Art Institute of Chicago, ensuring her place in art history. The show highlights the intersection of art and social justice, demonstrating how Jean's creative practice was intertwined with her fight against racial segregation. It also underscores the role of regional venues like the Duluth Art Institute in preserving and promoting underrepresented artists' contributions.