Cygnet Theatre's GEM OF THE OCEAN and Mingei International Museum's Bill Traylor Exhibit Celebrate African-American Artists, Spring 2013

Set in 1904, Gem of the Ocean is, chronologically, the first of ten plays in August Wilson's acclaimed Century Cycle examining the African-American experience in the 20th century.
This will be Cygnet's third production from Wilson's Century Cycle. In 2008, Cygnet presented Fences at its original Rolando Theatre location. In 2010, Cygnet revisited August Wilson's work with an acclaimed production of The Piano Lesson in its current home.

Mingei's exhibition will feature more than 60 of Traylor's drawings, including human and animal figures and depictions of his memories of plantation life or the urban landscape in Montgomery, Alabama. Traylor's drawings feature complex images in which he often combines several figures with abstract constructions. Although he worked largely in anonymity during his lifetime, Traylor became one of America's most respected self-taught artists after his exposure to a larger public in the groundbreaking 1982 exhibition "Black Folk Art in America, 1930-1980," held at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Ten years since taking flight, Cygnet Theatre has grown into San Diego's fifth largest theatre company and become known for producing adventurous, entertaining and thought-provoking live professional theater year round. Cygnet presents at least six main stage productions annually, ranging from classics and musicals to contemporary works that celebrate the human story at the recently renovated, state-of the-art Old Town Theatre in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Sean Murray and Executive Director Bill Schmidt, Cygnet has won more than 100 local awards for artistic excellence, including Theatre of the Year, Producer of the Year and multiple Best Production awards. In addition, Cygnet Theatre is committed to education outreach, new play development and community collaborations. For information, visit www.cygnettheatre.com.

Located in San Diego's Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum collects, preserves and exhibits "art of the world, art of the people", which includes folk art, craft and design from all eras and cultures of the world. A non-profit institution funded by admission, individuals, and community support, the Museum offers inspiring exhibitions and diverse educational programs to more than 100,000 visitors a year. For more, visit www.mingei.org.

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