Artworks is proud to announce its participation in the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) 2026 Big Read, bringing community organizations together around Frederick Douglass’ landmark 1845 memoir and abolitionist treatise, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.
The collaborative project brings together Artworks, Big Rapids Community Library, the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University, the Fine Art Gallery at Ferris State University, and the Old Settlers Reunion Association. The program reflects this year’s NEA Big Read theme, “Honoring 250 Years of the American Story,” inviting the Big Rapids community to explore the ongoing pursuit of a “more perfect union” through literature, history, art, and conversation.
The program will begin with a kickoff on October 10th featuring Nathan M. Richardson, a Frederick Douglass historical reenactor, and followed by opportunities for participants to engage in Douglass’ life and work through book discussions, a memoir-writing and oral-history workshop, a conversational salon exploring photography as a tool for justice, and a guided museum tour.
Nathan M. Richardson
Nathan M. Richardson is a published author, performance poet and Frederick Douglass Historian. Nathan is now in the 14th year of The Frederick Douglass Speaking Tour - a living history performance that captures completely the physical, spiritual and intellectual essence of the former slave, writer, orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Schedule of Events:
Wednesday, October 7th @ 5PM - Book Club @ BR Community Library
Saturday, October 10th @ 5PM - Kickoff Event at Artworks
Thursday, October 15th @ 3PM - Novel Tea Book Club at Artworks
Tuesday, October 27th @ TBD - Artworks’ Salon Series: A Portrait of Freedom: Frederick Douglass & the Power of Representation
