For the past several decades, Kalamazoo resident Murphy Darden, now in his nineties, has amassed a collection of artifacts, images, reference materials, and artworks related to African American history both near and far. Viewers of a special video will learn more about Darden's life experiences and discover why he has been so passionate about preserving a past that is often forgotten in history books and public discourse. The video will be shown at 6 p.m. and again at 7 p.m.

Art Hop audiences can also view the the exhibit Filling in the Gaps: The Art of Murphy Darden. Selections of his art will be assembled into four distinct themes: black cowboys, Darden’s personal experiences in Mississippi, civil rights heroes, and the African American community in Kalamazoo. The display runs in conjunction with the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts’ hosting of Black Refractions: Highlights from The Studio Museum in Harlem, September 14 – December 8, 2019.