The Harlem Fine Arts Show & National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta!

On June 26^th I had the pleasure of attending the opening night reception of the Harlem Fine Arts Show in Atlanta, Georgia. The HFAS, in partnership with the National Black Arts Festival, celebrated its 5^th anniversary in Atlanta from June 26^th through June 29^th.  The Harlem Fine Arts Show is one the largest collections of art work from both world renowned and emerging African-American artists. The opening night was a fundraiser for the National Black Arts Festival and was truly and elegant evening that celebrated both the touring artists and the local Atlanta art scene.

 

 

 

 

The event was held in the beautiful ballrooms of 200 Peachtree St. The master of ceremonies was local NBC news reporter Demarco Morgan.

 

Several sponsors were acknowledged and awards were handed out to local Atlanta organizations. The 2014 Arts and Healthcare Award went to the Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery for its Project Share-Art Therapy program.  In conjunction with the Shepard Center it offers free art classes to help with spinal cord recovery. In addition, the 2014 Arts and Community Award went to “Art on the Beltline”.  The crowd was entertained with amazing aerialists, live bands and carnival dancers.

I had the pleasure of meeting Charmaine Ward who was the co-chair of the opening night reception and Vice Chair of the National Black Arts Festival.  Besides the opening night event and exhibits all weekend, the HFAS also hosted a Youth Empowerment Day on Friday, the Winston and Carolyn Lowe Lecture Series on Saturday and the Fine Arts Exhibit Sale on Sunday.

There were so many talented artists in attendance but a few that truly stuck out to me included:

Charly Palmer “Whitewash”:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grace Kisa:

 

Frank Morrison:

 

 

Jonathan Romain:

 

 

Nnamdi Okonkwo:

 

The Harlem Fine Arts Show is on tour and the next stop will be in Martha’s Vineyard August 7-13, 2014 then Chicago in October (dates TBD). I am excited since I will be on Martha’s Vineyard during that time and plan to take in the exhibit again!

If you missed the Harlem Fine Arts Show in June you still have a chance to attend many artistic and cultural events in Atlanta through September courtesy of the National Black Arts Festival. These events include the National Black Arts Festival Gala on Saturday July 19^th, Wynton Marsalis at the Woodruff Arts Center on Friday July 25^th, Third World and Maxi Priest on Sunday August 17^th, The Legends Celebration on Saturday September 28^th and First Glance Teen Arts Award Show on Saturday September 27^th. For a full list of events and to purchase tickets please visit their website. If you attend any of these events please come back and share your thoughts with us!

N.S.W.