Mavs have artful good time at African American Museum

As her students were busy touring the African American Museum in South Dallas on Friday afternoon, it wasn’t lost on Lincoln High School art teacher Ayra Perryman that they were doing so alongside three members of the Dallas Mavericks.

In honor of Black History Month, Mavs players Markieff Morris, Dwight Powell and Kyrie Irving joined students from Lincoln and Madison high schools for a tour of a building which displays several pieces of art from different generations that depict the historical journeys of African Americans.

“The tour was absolutely amazing,” said Perryman, who also won the Teacher of the Year award in the Dallas Independent School District this year. “Just to see the enthusiasm of the students, not just to meet the Mavericks players, but also just to see the dynamic artwork that is here and how inquisitive they were asking several questions and wanting to learn about the history and why this piece was created.

“And also, to have a photo-op and be able to meet someone playing on the Dallas Mavericks’ team. It just made the experience even more outstanding.”

Morris said he thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the students from Madison and Lincoln while all of the parties in attendance were viewing the special artwork.

“Because they are the future,” Morris said. “I think in our time right now there’s a lot of things to do. The fact that we’re using our time to do small stuff like this to let them know we’ve been through what they’re going through, and we’re giving the answers to the questions.”

Morris also pointed out that it’s best to be cognizant of the past – which is what is portrayed on the walls in the museum — while also having an eye squarely on the future.

“History repeats itself,” Morris said. “I was taught that that’s a known fact. And then just to know where you come from and knowing your background, especially in Dallas.

“You never know. These could be your family members.”

Robert Lewis, the director of band at Madison High School, brought his top leaders in the band along for Friday’s tour and they left overjoyed with what they experienced.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for our students,” Lewis said. “It’s a great way to bring in Black History Month just to see how far we’ve come and what steps we still need to go.”

And he said meeting and having conversations with Morris, Powell and Irving was pure icing on the proverbial cake.

“That’s a once in a lifetime thing,” Lewis said. “To see them on TV not only playing basketball – especially Kyrie and the things he does in the community — and then for the students to actually be able to talk to him, I think that’s amazing.”

February is Black History Month, and Powell acknowledged the importance of not only this month for African Americans, but also the importance of the other 11 months on the calendar.

“Black History Month is, I don’t want to say it’s a time to reflect, because I think it’s important to reflect on black history throughout the entire year,” Powell said. “In everything you do I think it’s important to remember the sacrifices that were made to give you the opportunities that you have in this life. I’m very fortunate to be reaping these benefits every single day.

“Black History Month is a time, I think, that you should put a little bit more emphasis on learning, on researching, on trying to understand more about where we come from and the sacrifices that have been made. But I think it’s definitely important to try to embody those lessons and share them as much as you can all year around in everything you do.”

Morris, meanwhile, said seeing all the artwork on the tour took his breath away, and added that Black History Month means everything to him.

“That’s where I came from,” he said. “My history of my family from my mother and my grandfathers and my great grandfathers, the things that they did to open the doors to where we are now is big for us now.”

Morris especially saw one piece of artwork that he was very fond of and brought back memories.

“This Big Daddy Cane piece,” he said. “That took me back to growing up and my grandparents. My mom and dad were Big Daddy Cane fans.

“I’m kind of digging the art, so it’s good to look around and see some of the original pieces.”

Lewis appreciated the fact that the Mavs were very helpful in explaining some of the artwork to his students.

“It kind of put the extra wow factor on it,” Lewis said. “For the students thinking, ‘Ok, we’re just walking though the museum.’

“But to also see the Maverick players — and they’re engaged in the museum as well — I can really take heed to the information in the museum.”

There were numerous lessons learned at the museum, Powell said, with the players, students and teachers alike realizing moments that will last a lifetime.

“I think it’s very important to know where you’re from to understand where you’re going or to better plot out a plan for where you need to go,” Powell said. “So, being able to combine a lot of things into one in this building I think is incredible and it’s important (and) factual.

“I think you can find a lot of inspiration, not only artistically, but in terms of your own life path. These spaces are tremendously important.”

X: @DwainPrice