On Display

The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection Extends Show at SoFi Stadium, Opens ‘Continuum’

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

One Palisadian family—Shirley, Bernard and Khalil Kinsey—celebrated the opening of contemporary art exhibition “Continuum” at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Thursday, August 25.

The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection originally opened Sunday, February 13, marking the first art show to be displayed at the stadium, which is the recently opened home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers football teams.

Longtime Palisadians Shirley and Bernard told the Palisadian-Post the collection came out of their travels. As they traveled, they began collecting paintings and artifacts that caught their attention, particularly pieces that told the “African American story.”

Now considered one of the largest and most comprehensive of its kind, the collection has been viewed by millions and exhibited all over the world, including Walt Disney World’s Epcot, the Smithsonian and the University of Hong Kong Museum—to name a few.

The Kinsey Collection spans over 100,000 square feet at SoFi Stadium, featuring fine art, sculptures, photographs, rare books and letters that “document the African American experience and illuminate the untold stories of Black Excellence throughout U.S. history.”

On display are letters from Malcolm X dating back to 1857, letters from Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohammed Ali, the decision of U.S. Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, and over 70 pieces of art that date back to 1865.

“Black people, African Americans have been contributors to the art scene and to the culture of America for hundreds and hundreds of years,” Bernard said to the Post. “Black people have been a part of America, not just as enslaved people, but as contributing people to the culture, to the economy, the political aspect and everything you can think of for 500-plus years. There’s so much of the African American story of accomplishment and achievement that people don’t know anything about.

“Even under the most difficult situations, you see African Americans excelling in so many different areas, and that’s one of the things that I think people will take away from when they go and see the Kinsey African American Art and History Collection.”

In partnership with Inglewood-based Residency Art Gallery, The Kinsey Collection added a new exhibition: “Continuum.” Curated by Shirley and Bernard’s son Khalil and Rick Garzon, “Continuum” invited Inglewood- and greater Los Angeles-based contemporary artists to the experience.

“‘Continuum’ is part of The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection, and it’s our way of having community engagement and community outreach in the city of Inglewood, specifically,” Bernard said of the exhibit. “My son Khalil worked with Rick Garzon and put together 22 Inglewood and LA artists, all people of color, and it’s just a fabulous addition to The Kinsey Collection.

“We could not have done what we’ve done without [Khalil’s] love of the Kinsey material and his knowledge of how it all works.”

The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection is on display at SoFi Stadium through March 2023 and is part of SoFi Stadium tours. Tickets are available starting at $39. Private and group tours are also available.

Bernard said having the display at SoFi Stadium is a true full-circle moment for him and Shirley.

“Shirley and I just celebrated our 55th anniversary,” Bernard said, “We got married back in 1967 and moved out here four days after marriage. Our first home, believe it or not, was where? In Inglewood, ’97. It’s so full circle to be coming back to Los Angeles for the first time since our opening show in 2006. We’re really proud of sharing these ancestral stories of accomplishment and achievement.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit sofistadium.com/kinsey.