August Wilson exhibit highlights monthlong Black History Month celebration in Pittsburgh

Many events celebrating Black History Month are scheduled in Pittsburgh, including documentaries, plays, exhibits and lectures.One prominent event is the August Wilson exhibit at the City-County Building downtown, beginning Feb. 6. It is presented by the Hillman Library of the University of Pittsburgh."Our desire is to make sure this collection is known, accessible and used by all walks of life, in particular, students in the Pittsburgh Public Schools system and those that are in the Hill District, Homewood and other predominantly African American neighborhoods," says associate librarian Ed Galloway.A unique touch to the exhibit is that more than 100 items will be on display, curated by Eliza Gonzalez, a student at Allderdice High School."Get an understanding of it, select the items, write the descriptive notes, come up with a curator statement -- all of it was designed by her," says Diael Thomas, the August Wilson outreach and engagement curator for the Hillman Library.In Wilkinsburg, an exhibit will highlight the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen who fought in World War II. It begins Feb. 2 at the Sherwood Events Center presented by Hosanna House."It's a combination of interactive play and history, a broad history of Tuskegee Airmen. It will start from the beginning of their journey, to what did they conquer and where did they end up," said Khari Hicks, of the Hosanna House Center for Aviation Technology.When entering the museum, visitors have access to the aviation classroom. Another portion features interactive stations, including a life-size flight simulator. One side of the museum explains the journey of the Tuskegee Airmen, told with historical manuscripts and artifacts that were released by the Smithsonian Institution.