By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES — The magic of Black stories and the “good folk” who continue to tell them will be celebrated at William Grant Still Arts Center’s 44th annual Black Doll Show, titled “in need of good folk… ‘Magic Folk Like Us,’” opening Dec. 14.
The exhibit, curated by Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter, puppeteer and doll artist Aiysha Sinclair (“Brown Sugar Fairies”), is a tour through a magical world where Black folklore and fairytales are feted and intertwined through the power of storytelling and art.
Sinclair, also a children’s book author, is known for her imaginative stories and unique doll creations, which have taken her across the country to display her artistry and teach doll and puppet-making workshops.
On her website, Sinclair said, “It is of great importance to me that my offerings in the art and literary world reflect a Black lens. I spend a lot of time gathering stories about heroic women and enslaved Africans in America, the Caribbean, as well as folk and fairytales throughout the diaspora. These stories are haunting as well as uplifting. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of learning from them. It is an honor to share my stories, and those of my ancestors, whether that is through writing fairytales, mixed media or creating dolls.”
The Black Doll Show, reportedly the longest-running annual exhibit in Los Angeles, is a tribute to the oral tradition and its limitless possibilities, seen through the lens of Black artists and doll makers.
This year’s theme, “in need of good folk… Magic Folk Like Us,” taps into that same empowering spirit, reminding people that everyone is limitless within the realm of imagination.
Sinclair is known for exploring the magic and wonder of the African diaspora. Her work, which spans folk tales, fairy tales and folklore, invites visitors to reconnect with their roots and explore the cultural richness that Black storytelling offers.
Acknowledging Black folklore and tradition, this year’s exhibit celebrates the countless stories Black people have passed down through the ages — stories of tricksters, supernatural beings, heroic women and enslaved ancestors. This is a space where imagination and memory collide, and dolls become more than just objects — they become storytellers, sharing the influences of villages, families and community dynamics.
The artists in this year’s Black Doll Show, like the griot that passes tales from one generation to the next, continue a tradition of storytelling that transcends time and place.
The exhibit will showcase dolls and mixed-media pieces that bring to life Black folklore and reflect Black culture’s joy, resilience and spirit.
The Black Doll Show is connected to civil rights. It began in response to the 1940s doll tests conducted by Mamie and Kenneth Clark. The tests revealed how systemic racism impacted Black children’s self-esteem and led them to prefer white dolls.
This became pivotal evidence in civil rights lawsuits, including the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. To counteract the negative self-images, artists Cecil and Miriam Fergerson started the Black Doll Show in the 1980s, bringing together handmade Black dolls to celebrate the beauty and cultural significance of Black identity.
The exhibit celebrates art, identity, history and community, which have the power to encourage, inspire, and transform.
Several artists and staff who have been essential in producing the William Grant Still Arts Center Black Doll Show were recently featured in Netflix’s documentary, “Black Barbie.”
Monica Bailey shared her inspiring journey toward self-love through dolls, while Amitis Motevalli and Billie Green conveyed significant historical Black doll moments.
The documentary also included Stacy McBride-Irby, who participated in the 2018 Black Doll Show and reflected on her time at Barbie and her decision to develop her Black doll line.
The commanding voices of these women underscore the deep connection between Black dolls, identity and self-empowerment.
The 44th annual Black Doll Show runs from Dec. 14 through Feb. 15 at the William Grant Still Arts Center, 2520 S. West View St., Los Angeles, near the intersection of LA Brea Avenue and Adams Boulevard.
The opening reception is from 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 14. Doll workshops are held Dec. 21, Jan. 11 and Feb. 8. There will be a panel discussion Jan. 18 and a closing tea Feb. 15.
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
