American Stories: Illustrating Your Family Tree

How do you turn family history into art?

Join four artists featured in the My America: An Illustrated Experience exhibition for a conversation about the family stories, personal mementos, and memories that inspired their work. From deeply personal moments to major chapters in American history, each artist transformed their roots into powerful visual storytelling.

Moderated by chief historian Anne Madarasz, this panel discussion will explore how genealogy, identity, and family history can shape creativity and connect personal experiences to the larger American story. Senior Outreach Archivist Sierra Green will also share materials from the Detre Library & Archives and offer insight into how family records and genealogy research can inspire storytelling in unconventional ways.

Before the program, visitors are encouraged to explore the artists’ work on view in My America in the museum’s fifth floor Barensfeld Gallery.

• Fredrick H. Carlson, “New Plimmoth in New England”
• Audra Azoury, “Hard Working Fathers and the Land of Opportunity” and “Progressive Mothers and Their Quest for Liberation”
• Naomi Lees-Maiburg, “Freedom of Conscience”
• Chris Bermudo, “A Legacy of Dedication”

Admission

Admission is free for History Center members and $5 for non-members.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available upon request. Please contact us at [email protected] in advance to request accommodations.