Common Threads: Langston Hughes in the American West

Join us for Common Threads, featuring an enlightening presentation on Langston Hughes in the American West!

Speaker: Carmen Beals,
Associate Curator and Outreach Director, Nevada Museum of Art, Reno
Carmen Beals will delve into archival materials and reproduced ephemera that highlight the journey of renowned Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes during his time in the American West.

The discussion kicks off in 1932, when Hughes visited the Hoover Dam in Nevada, advocating for African Americans' employment rights, and spans his experiences in California and the broader West Coast. It's a unique opportunity to explore the lasting effects of Hughes’s encounters and impact in this region.

This presentation draws from Carmen's recent curatorial projects, including When Langston Hughes Came to Town, which wrapped up in February 2026, and A New Song: Langston Hughes in the West, currently on display at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles until September 13.

📍 Location: 309 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89107-4372, United States
🔗 Get your tickets here!