Image & Identity II:

Image & Identity II: “Acknowledging Our Ethnic Roots” Art Exhibit
Friday February 4 – February 25, 2011
5:00pm
Artspace Buffalo Gallery
1219 Main Street, Buffalo, NY
An Evening of Visual and Performance Art
Exploring Image & Identity as it relates to Africans
And African-Americans.
3-Day event to offer art, hair & fashion show, marketplace vendors & a night of poetry.
Featured Artist: Betty Foster
Guest Panelist Dr. Kush Bhardwaj, Department of African-American Studies, University at Buffalo.
BUFFALO, NY — Artspace Buffalo Gallery is pleased to announce Image and Identity II: ”Acknowledging Our Ethnic Roots” art exhibition.
Exposing the beauty and diversity of African and African-American people, Image and Identity II will instill a greater sense of pride and respect of our ethnic heritage and cultural roots. This exhibition of visual and performance art will educate, enlighten, inspire and motivate.
Image & Identity II will also explore the connection between personal self image in relation to cultural & ethnic heritage & spiritual identity. Simply, how we view, value and accept ourselves as African & African-American people.
This exhibit will also showcase the creatively diverse talents of Buffalo & Artspace resident artists, always seeking to create opportunities for exposure, networking and future collaborations. The featured visual artist for this event is Betty Pitts-Foster. Betty received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1962, specializing in Oil Paintings on canvas. Betty is a member of the Buffalo Arts Studio and one of her many past arts awards include: Chatauqua Art Association's 13th National Jury Show, membership with the Buffalo Arts Society & Williamsville Arts society. Her work was also selected by the US Department of State for the Art in Embassies Program. Betty's work is an inner response to what God created using vibrant colors and strong contrasts with abstract shapes combining them in realistic visions of the natural.
This event also includes community artists: Kamau R.E. Fields- Digital Photography, Maimouna Fields-Digital Photography, Paul Dabrowski-Mixed, Jessica Thorpe-Mixed, James Seku Harwell-Digital Photography, James C. Clemons- Oil Paintings and Ricardo Thomas-Pastels. Artspace Artists: Doug Ruffin-Multimedia, Ann Goldsmith-Poetry, Erika Aminata Mitchell-Poetry & Dance. Spoken word performance artists include: Lov London, David Blackburn, vonetta t. rhodes, Taharka Odinga, James Seku Harwell and Ekaete Bailey.

In honor of Black History Month, this event will feature 2-3 Black owned hair salons in Buffalo: Sisterlocks by Glenda Martin, Chopafellaz with Cuts by Markey, Elite Hair Creations with Kevin & Rashod and Hair 2Go Natural with Althea & Steve. This 2 day event will be enhanced by African, Caribbean and American cuisine catered by Kafe' International, spoken word and live music with, Daughters of Creative Sound, Odell Northington and Martin Sonchild.

Image & Identity II will begin on Friday, February 4 from 5pm-10 pm, ending on Friday February 25, 6-9pm.
Artspace Buffalo Gallery at 1219 Main Street in Buffalo, NY.
Friday Feb 4th, 5:00 - Art Opening & Marketplace Vendors, 6:00pm "Daughters of Creative Sound”, 6:30pm film “Black IS Black Ain’t”
With special guest panelist, Dr. Kush Bhardwaj, Department of African-American Studies at University at Buffalo, vonetta t rhodes, Taharka Odinga and James Seku Harwell.
Saturday Feb 5th, 2:30-4:00pm Free movie screening "Good Hair",
4:00pm-4:30pm East Wind Hair Demo by Valeria Cray,
5:00pm Marketplace Vendors, 6:00pm Hair & Fashion show featuring spoken word artists: vonetta t. rhodes, Ekaete Bailey, Lov London, David Blackburn, Erika Aminata and Martin Sonchild, also a local recording artist who'll sing hits from his cd, "Take it to Jah".
Tickets for Hair & Fashion Show: $10.00 Adults & $5.00 Children 12 & under.
Saturday Feb 12th, 6pm Image & Identity II: Expressions of Love & Culture. A night of poetry & music with Marketplace Vendors, on site massage therapist, live music with upright bassist Odell Northington, Spoken word performances: James Seku Harwell "Queen of my Soul", Ekaete Bailey "Calling All Angels", Lov London "Masterpiece", Erika Aminata "Realidad de Amor", David Blackburn “Onyx Face”.
Cuisine catered by Kafe' International.
Fee for Poetry Night: $5.00 or FREE with stamped Fashion Show ticket stub.

Tickets can be purchased at: Chopafellaz 3251 Bailey Avenue (716) 832-8484, Hair 2Go Natural, 727 Main Street (716) 883-2000; Elite Hair Creations, 2612 Main St. (716) 833-8648 and Event Organizer Erika Aminata (716) 948-3583/(716) 935-8677 or email: createbyami@gmail.com

Artspace Buffalo Gallery, 1219 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209 http://www.artspacebuffalo.org

Event Sponsors Include: Masten District Block Club Coalition - Mrs. Bonner and Belmont Shelter Corporation and Artspace USA.
For additional information, contact Erika Aminata Mitchell, Event organizer by phone (716) 948-3583 or email (createbyami@gmail.com)