by Cornelia Feye

July 11, 2023

Octavia Butler’s novel Parable of the Sower begins in the year 2024, the same year the NCM’s exhibition Octavia E. Butler: Seeding Futures will open. Written in 1993 the novel explores a dystopian future through the eyes and words of the main protagonist, a 15-year-old Black girl named Lauren Oya Olamina.

Octavia Estelle Butler (1947-2006) was an African American science fiction author and a multiple recipient of the Hugo and Nebula awards. Her work tackles race, gender, religion, poverty, power, politics and climate change. In 1995, Butler became the first science-fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship. Born in Pasadena, California, Butler was raised by her widowed mother.

In preparation of the exhibition, made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the museum offers a two-day interactive workshop for youth 12 years and up on August 19-20, 2023. The workshop introduces Butler, her life, interests, and motivations, and includes presentations given by scholars on the topics of Butler’s work, science fiction, climate change, and social change. Participant feedback from the workshop will be gathered and utilized to help shape the Octavia E. Butler: Seeding Futures exhibit. Applications for 25 participants are now being accepted (click here) and accepted applicants will be notified by July 28. Participants will receive lunch, a stipend, and their input will become part of the exhibition.

         Ayana Jamieson, PhD and founder of the Octavia E. Butler Legacy Network is the primary advisor on the exhibition plan and design. She explains that participants of the workshop will be able to “write themselves in as culture workers into the present and issues of today.”

Workshop participants will explore various forms of expression like writing, visual art, music, dance, singing, gardening etc.

         “The workshop will center on young people’s voices in imagining their place now and in the future.” said Gabrielle Wyrick, Chief Curator and Director of Audience Engagement at The New Children’s Museum.

The final shape of the room-size installation will only be determined after the workshop. It will also include assembled research focused on Butler’s childhood writings and drawings inspired by the Octavia E. Butler Archive at The Huntington Library.

         “The New Children’s Museum is thrilled to have the opportunity to explore science fiction and speculative fiction as a generative medium.” Gabrielle Wyrick said.

         “We all want the exhibit to reflect Butler’s strong desire to improve the lives of marginalized young people and provide examples of BIPOC youth becoming shapers of change inspired by (Butler’s) life and work,” added Jamieson.