Yoruba Artist, Yoruba people, Nigeria, Beaded Crown, before 1986, seed beads, basketry, leather, cotton, woven raffia. Gift of Elizabeth Van Gelder, 2019.144 — fitchburgartmuseum.org

FESTIVAL: A Celebration of African Art at the Fitchburg Art Museum is the first in a series of exhibitions honoring FAM’s centennial. Drawing upon universal themes of life, death, power, love, and celebration, FESTIVAL presents highlights of FAM’s African Art collection organized around the concepts of Masquerades, Ceremonial Life, Ritual Life, and Domestic Life. From first millennium CE terracottas, to contemporary sculptures, FESTIVAL spans time and space, demonstrating both the breadth of FAM’s collection and the diversity of cultures and contexts across the African continent.