Biggs Museum Features HBCU Marching Band Art Through January 25

‘Keith Duncan: Battle of the Bands,’ ‘Echoes of the Storm’ showcasing ensembles of DSU, other schools

December 17, 2025

DOVER, Del. – Through January 25, the Biggs Museum of American Art is pulsing with rhythm, energy and cultural pride as it presents “Keith Duncan: Battle of the Bands, The HBCU Marching Bands Series.” This powerful exhibition of 45 dynamic mixed-media works by New Orleans-based contemporary artist Keith Duncan celebrates the enduring tradition of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands – institutions known not only for their musical excellence, but also for their role in shaping community and identity.

The exhibition comes to Dover through the support of Art Bridges, a national arts foundation that partners with museums to provide strategic and financial support to get American art out of storage and into communities nationwide. Their loan of “Battle of the Bands,” organized by the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, makes it possible for regional audiences to engage with a major contemporary body of work that might otherwise remain out of reach.

“Having a nationally ranked HBCU right here in our hometown, we felt there was no better place to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and significance of HBCU marching bands than at The Biggs,” said Hassan Najjar, Executive Director of Biggs Museum of American Art. “Each of Duncan’s large-scale fabric paintings and smaller works on paper captures the movement, pageantry and storytelling power of 15 Southern HBCU marching bands and their iconic drum majors.”

A visual storyteller, Duncan draws inspiration from personal narrative, community engagement, news media, art history, Black culture and the traditions of New Orleans. While his studio practice is firmly rooted in painting and drawing, his process is expansive, adroitly combining paper collage and textile art. Duncan’s layered integration of wallpaper and textiles is deliberate, drawn from ancestral heritage, Southern influences and contemporary aesthetics of material exploration. His gestural figuration and painterly style can be compared to artists such as Willie Birch and Robert Colescott. At its core, though, Duncan’s practice is narrative, and his voice is wholly his own.

“His layered compositions – incorporating textiles, collage and vibrant color – are rooted in African and Southern traditions while drawing inspiration from artists such as Faith Ringgold and Mickalene Thomas,” noted Najjar. “At once celebratory and reflective, the works highlight both personal narrative and shared cultural history.”

With ”Battle of the Bands,” Duncan displays his full formal acumen and narrative prowess as a painter. Like all of his work, it is figurative, personal and rooted in the celebration of his community. Through telling this story, he focuses the viewer’s attention on the cultural significance of the HBCU marching band tradition. It also opens dialogue around the rich history of HBCUs and the increasingly important role they play at this moment in American history.

Originally curated by Bradley Sumrall, Curator of the Collection at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, this traveling exhibition brings a nationally significant artist’s voice to Dover at a time when stories of Black excellence and community celebration are more important than ever. This presentation of Battle of the Bands at The Biggs is made possible through generous support from Art Bridges, as well as the Choptank Foundation, the Delaware Division of the Arts and Delaware State University (DSU).

DSU’s own contributions to HBCU band culture are further celebrated in the museum’s complementary exhibition, “Echoes of the Storm,” which runs through January 11. Focusing exclusively on the history and impact of the celebrated DSU Marching Band, Approaching Storm, this companion show features artwork created by DSU students, archival artifacts and materials highlighting the university’s legacy as one of the nation’s top-ranked HBCUs.

The Biggs and DSU collaboration is rooted in student engagement and leadership. During Fall 2025, five DSU interns joined The Biggs team, working across departments to gain real-world museum experience. In addition, seven DSU students contributed directly to the development and installation of “Echoes of the Storm,” curating content, researching band history and preparing materials for display.

Together, “Battle of the Bands” and “Echoes of the Storm” offer a powerful look at the past, present and future of HBCU marching band culture through world-class art and meaningful community partnerships.

ABOUT THE BIGGS MUSEUM

The Biggs Museum of American Art, located in the heart of downtown Dover, Delaware, transforms the community through the art of its region. Featuring American fine and decorative arts from the 18th century to today, the museum offers rotating exhibitions, educational programs and community events that connect audiences to creativity and culture. As a welcoming hub for discovery and collaboration, The Biggs champions the arts as essential to civic well-being. The museum is located at 406 Federal Street and is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Learn more at thebiggsmuseum.org.