BAM

Birkenstein Art Movement (BAM)

The Birkenstein Art Movement, or BAM, is a program inspired by Jean Birkenstein—an artist, a teacher, and a leader of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950’s and 1960’s Chicago. Her home served as a safe house and community center for rival gangs, where members were free to visit and express themselves through art. The connection to Jean to the Duluth Art Institute is through DAI Board President Robin Washington. She is his mother. Jean inspired and lead community change through activism and visual art. The Duluth Art Institute recognizes her contributions and is honored to teach youth about the importance of speaking up and the power of art. 

Students stretched their abilities to create artworks, learning to appreciate the results of their efforts and believe in their ability to succeed at new things. The program addressed an opportunity gap with youth learning how to voice their concerns and be heard. The youth presented their concerns about a neighborhood park to Duluth City Hall to end the experience, incorporating art to tell their story.