The nation’s oldest theater designed, financed and operated entirely by African Americans is adding an attraction: visual art.

Since it was built in 1919, the Attucks Theatre has hosted performers such as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington and once was called the “Apollo of the South.”

Now it is debuting its inaugural exhibition, “Black Voices & Visions,” in its new art gallery installed in the lobby. To celebrate the gallery opening Friday, the public will be offered free admission from 6-9 p.m. to view roughly 50 artworks by Black artists with ties to Hampton Roads.

The Gallery at the Attucks will be a permanent part of the theater, meant to display successive guest exhibitions.

Starting next week, the gallery will be accessible by anyone attending a performance at the Attucks. Norfolk

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