March 22: New Pearl Bailey exhibit on display at Philadelphia African American Museum

PHILADELPHIA (WPHL) — An award-winning actress, a talented singer and songwriter, an author and comedian, Pearl Bailey helped shape the American entertainment industry breaking barriers across the United States, including in Philadelphia. On Saturday, the African American Museum in Philadelphia is honoring her legacy in a new exhibit, The Pearl Bailey Showcase.

Curated by Michael K. Wilson, Ph.D., the Pearl Bailey Showcase features a collection of the star’s influence, achievements and her rise to fame across several decades, which began in the 1930’s in Philadelphia where she began her career singing and dancing in Philadelphia’s black nightclubs.

Objects from the Bailey-Bellson Collection, including scrapbooks, archival photographs, and letters from friends and admirers worldwide, will be on display from March 22 to September 13 in 2025. The exhibit is also available online.

The Demond Melancon: As Any Means Are Necessary exhibit will also open alongside the Pearl Bailey Showcase at the museum. The traveling exhibition features the artwork of Big Chief Demond Melancon of the Young Seminole Hunters. Using needle and thread to sew glass beads onto canvas, Big Chief Demond creates massive, glass-beaded suits as a Black Masker. The display was organized by the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. The exhibit will be on display from March 22 to July 27 in 2025.

AAMP is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For details and tickets, visit aampmuseum.org.