Curator Christopher Blay Departs the HMAAC; Joins National Juneteenth Museum

Last week, curator and artist Christopher Blay announced that he has departed the Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) and joined the National Juneteenth Museum (NJM) in Fort Worth.

Mr. Blay, who had been a longtime Fort Worth resident, moved to Houston in 2019 when he was appointed News Editor of Glasstire. He stepped down from his role at the publication in 2021 when he was hired as the Chief Curator at HMAAC. In that role, he worked with local artists through exhibitions like the annual Bert Long Jr. Gallery Spring Survey, a juried exhibition featuring emerging Houston artists. Beyond his work supporting Houston artists, Mr. Blay also organized solo exhibitions for significant artists like Ellsworth Ausby, a New York-based educator and artist working in abstract art, Evita Tezeno, a Dallas-based artist who received a 2023 Guggenheim Fellowship, and David-Jeremiah, an emerging artist based in Dallas.

In a statement shared with Glasstire, Mr. Blay remarked, “I will remember my time in Houston as one with memorable collaborations and the generosity of Houston artists, curators, gallerists, writers, and patrons. Among notable collaborations were the invitations from Fotofest, to be in conversation with Mark Sealy of Autograph, London; from the Menil for Witnessing Worlds in Transition; and from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, for a Conversation with William Kentridge; among a handful of others.”

During his time in Houston, Mr. Blay was selected for a public art project with The Ion, a tech hub, and a solo exhibition at the Galveston Arts Center. After his departure from Glasstire, Mr. Blay began to contribute to Art in America, most recently writing about the work of David-Jeremiah. While much of Mr. Blay’s work has been centered in Houston, he recently completed the East Rosedale Monument Project, a public art project in Fort Worth that speaks to the history of buses in the Civil Rights movement.

On September 3, Mr. Blay stepped into the role of Director of Public Programs at the NJM. The museum is expected to open to the public in 2026. Its 50,000-square-foot building plans to have 10,000 square feet of exhibition gallery space, as well as a 250-seat theater and a flexible Black Box space. The NJM website explains that in his role, Mr. Blay will shape the museum’s vision for community engagement. This includes developing and implementing programs and overseeing the business incubator initiative and coworking space. 

The website notes, “Blay’s dual talents as a writer and artist further enhance the museum’s ability to tell compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences. His leadership is central to the museum’s efforts to create a vibrant and inclusive space that honors the legacy of Juneteenth, ensuring the museum serves as a beacon of cultural and economic renewal in the area.”

In a press release, Jarred Howard, CEO of NJM, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Christopher Blay to the National Juneteenth Museum. His artistic vision, extensive experience, and deep connections in the museum sector make him the perfect fit to drive our public programming efforts. We are confident that his leadership will elevate the museum’s role as a vital cultural institution and a place of learning and reflection.”

Regarding his new position, Mr. Blay told Glasstire, “The Fort Worth Southside has a history and legacy of Black culture that has been marginalized over the decades. I look forward to being part of a team that reconnects with that legacy and becoming a responsible steward to that community.”

He continued, “Fort Worth was where I became an artist and I’m looking forward to returning to the art, food, and culture that makes up the rich identity of the city.”