The Harn to celebrate Black History Month during Museum Nights, gallery talk

February 10, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. —The Harn Museum of Art is joining the celebration of Black History Month by offering Journey through Africa during Museum Nights on Feb. 11 and a gallery talk by Susan Cooksey, Harn curator of African art, Feb. 14.

“Black History Month is a time for everyone to celebrate and learn about black history and culture in Africa and the Americas,” Harn Director Rebecca Nagy said

From 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 11, visitors are invited to journey through Africa at Museum Nights. They will have the opportunity to participate in art-making activities with Adinkra stamps, search for works by African artists in a museum-wide scavenger hunt and listen to African folk tales by Baba Ono. Visitors may try on African garments and jewelry and learn the proper way to wear traditional African dress. Food will be provided by Reggae Shack.

Throughout the evening, Agbedidi, a group comprised of University of Florida students majoring in dance, music and theatre, will perform African dances accompanied by drummers. After the performance, visitors will have the opportunity to play the drums.

UF’s Pazeni Sauti Africa Choir also will perform African choral music.

At 3 p.m. Feb. 14, Susan Cooksey, curator of African art, will lead a gallery talk focusing on ‘A Sense of Place: African Interiors.’ The exhibition features objects from homes, palaces, shrines and other sacred places in Africa. Contextual images accompany each display and give the viewer a sense of how art enhances and defines spaces for everyday activities, worship and royal courts.

Museum Nights is an ongoing program made possible by the generous support of the University of Florida Honors Program and Student Government. The Harn gratefully acknowledges the additional program funding on Feb. 11 by the Center for African Studies.

For more information call 352-392-9826 or visit www.harn.ufl.edu.