The following interview is with Sasha Giordano, director and co-curator of the latest exhibition at the Hofstra University Museum of Art, Les Visionnaires: In the Modernist Spirit. It has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

To promote the current Hofstra University Museum exhibition, Romare Bearden: Storyteller, a student-led jazz quartet performed evening pieces in Emily Lowe Gallery, interspersed by historical context by David Lalama, professor of music. 

I think what Id say is that Beardens work explores the African American story in ways that are both intimate and universal. His work applies to everyone, but through the specific experiences of blacks in America, Henton said.