Continuing my ‘Celebrating West Africa’ series, here are three events I’m holding in February during Black History Month. My thanks to Afrikin and the Great Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau for their help and sponsorship.
- “AfriKin: Perspectives, Poetry & Prose” on February 18th, featuring Mutabaruka. This event includes poetry and performance, celebrating the cultural impact of African and Black artists.
- “Institutionalized Freedoms” exhibit from February 1-29, showcasing African American artistic expression and its role in shaping national and global cultural trends at the Scott Galvin Community Center.
- “Juxtaposed” group exhibition at the Joe Celestin Center from February 1-29, highlighting the diversity within the African American artistic community through various artistic forms.
Here’s more detail on each show:
Program 1:
In 2024, aligned with the national theme “African Americans and the Arts,” we
are thrilled to feature Mutabaruka during President’s Weekend for our upcoming
event, “AfriKin: Perspectives, Poetry & Prose,” on February 18th from 6 pm to 9 pm
at the Scott Galvin Community Center in North Miami. This event promises an
evening rich in poetry, performance, including a youth tribute to Langston
Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, and sensory experiences that include
complimentary drinks, and a selection of small bites.
This Jamaican Dub Poet and Host of “Steppin Razor” and “The Cutting Edge”
embodies the spirit of African Redemption and Black Power. His influence
extends globally, making him an ideal figure to represent our theme of cultural
impact across various artistic domains. It offers an exciting opportunity for you to
rejoin us as a valued partner. Your support will not only enhance our reach and
impact but also offer your extensive branding and promotional opportunities
with an engaged audience, including art collectors, industry leaders, and key
influencers.
Program 2:
Simultaneously, we will host the “Institutionalized Freedoms” a contemporary fine
art exhibit from February 1 to February 29th at the Scott Galvin Community
Center, located at 1600 NE 126th Street, North Miami, FL.
The AfriKin Art Exhibition “Institutionalized Freedoms,” presented in celebration of
the 2024 Black History Month theme “African Americans and the Arts,” offers a
rich tapestry of African American artistic expression. This exhibition showcases
how African American art is deeply intertwined with the diverse experiences of
African, Caribbean, and Black American life. It underscores the significant
contributions of artists of the Black World in various domains, including visual and
performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture,
and culinary arts.
Simultaneously, we will host the “Institutionalized Freedoms” a contemporary fine
art exhibit from February 1 to February 29th at the Scott Galvin Community
Center, located at 1600 NE 126th Street, North Miami, FL.
The AfriKin Art Exhibition “Institutionalized Freedoms,” presented in celebration of
the 2024 Black History Month theme “African Americans and the Arts,” offers a
rich tapestry of African American artistic expression. This exhibition showcases
how African American art is deeply intertwined with the diverse experiences of
African, Caribbean, and Black American life. It underscores the significant
contributions of artists of the Black World in various domains, including visual and
performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture,
and culinary arts.
Highlighting the historical journey of African American art, the exhibition traces
its roots from the time of Western intellectuals’ denial of Black contributions to
the arts. Despite this, an unbroken lineage of Black artistry is evident, stretching
from ancient Egypt across Africa and Europe to the New World. A notable
example is the sweetgrass baskets, a visual art form crafted by enslaved Africans
in the Lowcountry, reflecting over three centuries of tradition.
The 2024 theme delves into the impact of African American artists in shaping
national and global cultural trends. Movements like the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism were pioneered by people of
African descent, influencing popular culture worldwide. The exhibition pays
homage to these movements and the artists who led them.
“Institutionalized Freedoms” also explores the birth of spirituals from the suffering
of enslaved individuals, the evolution of blues into various music genres, and the
literary contributions of African American writers and poets. It sheds light on the
international influence of the Black Renaissance and New Negro Movement,
celebrating figures like Langston Hughes and Josephine Baker, who took Black
American aesthetics to the global stage.
This exhibition serves as a vibrant reminder of the enduring power and influence
of African American arts and artists. It invites viewers to appreciate the profound
and diverse expressions of Black creativity, which have significantly shaped
cultural landscapes both in America and around the world.
its roots from the time of Western intellectuals’ denial of Black contributions to
the arts. Despite this, an unbroken lineage of Black artistry is evident, stretching
from ancient Egypt across Africa and Europe to the New World. A notable
example is the sweetgrass baskets, a visual art form crafted by enslaved Africans
in the Lowcountry, reflecting over three centuries of tradition.
The 2024 theme delves into the impact of African American artists in shaping
national and global cultural trends. Movements like the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism were pioneered by people of
African descent, influencing popular culture worldwide. The exhibition pays
homage to these movements and the artists who led them.
“Institutionalized Freedoms” also explores the birth of spirituals from the suffering
of enslaved individuals, the evolution of blues into various music genres, and the
literary contributions of African American writers and poets. It sheds light on the
international influence of the Black Renaissance and New Negro Movement,
celebrating figures like Langston Hughes and Josephine Baker, who took Black
American aesthetics to the global stage.
This exhibition serves as a vibrant reminder of the enduring power and influence
of African American arts and artists. It invites viewers to appreciate the profound
and diverse expressions of Black creativity, which have significantly shaped
cultural landscapes both in America and around the world.
Program 3:
The “Juxtaposed” contemporary Africana fine art group exhibition at the Joe
Celestin Center, situated at 1525 NW 135th Street, North Miami, FL, is a
complementary and enriching addition to the 2024 National Black History Month
program, themed “African Americans and the Arts.” This exhibition brings
together a diverse array of Black artists, each offering their unique perspective
and artistic approach, thereby creating a dynamic interplay of styles, themes,
and mediums. This exhibition will grant locals and visitors alike in the West of
North Miami area the opportunity to engage in a premium fine art experience.
“Juxtaposed” aims to highlight the diversity within the African American artistic
community, showcasing how individual experiences and cultural backgrounds
can lead to vastly different expressions of creativity. The exhibition includes a
range of artistic forms such as painting, sculpture, digital art, and mixed media,
each piece contributing to a dialogue about identity, history, and the
contemporary Black experience.
In this exhibition, visitors will encounter artworks that challenge and expand the
understanding of African American art. It delves into the complexity of the Black
experience, showcasing how each artist navigates and interprets their heritage,
societal influences, and personal journeys. The theme of ‘juxtaposition’ is
explored not only through contrasting artistic styles but also through the
exploration of themes such as resilience and struggle, tradition and innovation,
and the personal versus the communal. “Juxtaposed” serves as a microcosm of the broader narrative of African
American artistry, reflecting the multitude of voices, stories, and perspectives
that make up the rich tapestry of Black culture in America. It echoes the
overarching theme of the 2024 Black History Month by celebrating the diverse
and impactful contributions of African American artists to the cultural and artistic
landscape.
By visiting the Joe Celestin Center for this exhibition, attendees will gain a
deeper appreciation of the complexity and vibrancy of the arts in the Greater
Miami area. “Juxtaposed” not only enriches the Black History Month program but
also stands as a testament to the enduring and evolving nature of African
American artistic expression.
The “Juxtaposed” contemporary Africana fine art group exhibition at the Joe
Celestin Center, situated at 1525 NW 135th Street, North Miami, FL, is a
complementary and enriching addition to the 2024 National Black History Month
program, themed “African Americans and the Arts.” This exhibition brings
together a diverse array of Black artists, each offering their unique perspective
and artistic approach, thereby creating a dynamic interplay of styles, themes,
and mediums. This exhibition will grant locals and visitors alike in the West of
North Miami area the opportunity to engage in a premium fine art experience.
“Juxtaposed” aims to highlight the diversity within the African American artistic
community, showcasing how individual experiences and cultural backgrounds
can lead to vastly different expressions of creativity. The exhibition includes a
range of artistic forms such as painting, sculpture, digital art, and mixed media,
each piece contributing to a dialogue about identity, history, and the
contemporary Black experience.
In this exhibition, visitors will encounter artworks that challenge and expand the
understanding of African American art. It delves into the complexity of the Black
experience, showcasing how each artist navigates and interprets their heritage,
societal influences, and personal journeys. The theme of ‘juxtaposition’ is
explored not only through contrasting artistic styles but also through the
exploration of themes such as resilience and struggle, tradition and innovation,
and the personal versus the communal. “Juxtaposed” serves as a microcosm of the broader narrative of African
American artistry, reflecting the multitude of voices, stories, and perspectives
that make up the rich tapestry of Black culture in America. It echoes the
overarching theme of the 2024 Black History Month by celebrating the diverse
and impactful contributions of African American artists to the cultural and artistic
landscape.
By visiting the Joe Celestin Center for this exhibition, attendees will gain a
deeper appreciation of the complexity and vibrancy of the arts in the Greater
Miami area. “Juxtaposed” not only enriches the Black History Month program but
also stands as a testament to the enduring and evolving nature of African
American artistic expression.