“Places of Validation,” California African American Museum's contribution to the regionwide Pacific Standard Time initiative, tells stories more thoroughly and compellingly than most of the other historical exhibitions up right now, framing African-American art within narratives of the world wars, economics and urban geography. One of the best stories is of Golden State Mutual Life Insurance, an African-American-run company founded in 1925 that collected and commissioned African-American artwork. The exhibition includes 65 works from Golden State's collection, along with cases full of letters, photographs and legal documents showing how an initially small company survived and thrived against the odds, and became an enormously influential patron. 600 State Drive, Exposition Park; through April 1. (213) 744-7432, caamuseum.org.

Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: Sept. 29. Continues through April 1, 2011

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