Cultural vision

Hairstyles, body image, music and dance. Memories, ceremonies and spiritual symbols. These are just a few currents in a river of black art running through Atlanta this summer. More than 30 visual art exhibitions on view during the National Black Arts Festival July 28-Aug. 6 present abstract and figurative works by black artists from the 19th century to the here and now. What floats to the surface is a sense that contemporary black artists are defining their place in the world’s socio-cultural picture. Arturo Lindsay, who will show new paintings in Transformation & Transgression at Kubatana Gallery, sees black artists raising interesting questions in their work. “The mission of contemporary art is to present ideas that force us to think innovatively. A lot of work is now dealing with issues of spirituality and healing in a way that makes us reconsider the purpose and meaning of art,” he says.

Photographer Lynn Marshall Linnemeier is involved in at least three visual arts projects connected with this year’s festival. One includes an international residency with South African artist Bongi Bengu. “Our collaboration with women artists in Reynoldstown combines art and economic development,” she explains. “We’re working with this year’s festival theme, ‘Artists As Agents of Change,’ as we look into developing a business with neighborhood women. We’re here to think of new ways to address the changing role of welfare in the community.”

Since 1990, Spelman professor Dr. Akua McDaniel has curated the festival’s visual arts programming. “This year,” she notes, “We’re turning the spotlight on the local institutions that have been involved for years with what we do.” And as to the future of visual arts at the festival? “We’ve talked about setting up a virtual gallery where black artists are highlighted. Using the Web as a tool, we can communicate with a broader visual arts community.”

Here are some of the featured exhibitions:?
??NBAF Artists Market
A festival tradition, the market showcases painting, sculpture, fine jewelry, leather goods, textiles, hand-blown glass and handmade dolls. Artists’ discussions, demonstrations, workshops and lectures are scheduled daily. Aug. 3-6. Clark Atlanta University Student Center, 223 James P. Brawley Drive. Free with festival admission.

I’Shengahla
The International Doll Gallery presents a juried show of collectible, artistic, contemporary and traditional doll forms. July 28-Aug. 2. Renaissance Hotel, 590 W. Peachtree St. 404-881-6000. Aug. 3-6, Artists Market, Clark Atlanta University. Free with festival admission.

African Ceremonies
Photographers Angela Fisher and Carol Beckwith present photographic documents of the 12 years they spent studying ceremonial rites of indigenous African tribes. 6 p.m., July 31. Georgia Pacific Auditorium, 133 Peachtree St. Free. RSVP required. 678-406-0906.

A Culture of Colours
L/V’s Fine Art Studio features the work of Sydney Carter, Willie Schofield, Gerald Ivy, Doyle Cloyd, Paul Goodnight, Kevin Williams, Lee White, Lashun Beal, Ted Ellis and Rudolphus. July 28-Aug. 6, 134 Peachtree St. 404-525-6833. Opening: July 28, 5:30 p.m.

A Deeper Vision
In this show, African artists in the Baha’i community articulate their spiritual reality July 30-Aug. 6, The Baha’i Center, 379 Edgewood Ave. 404-688-0208.

African Accents for the Home
Artist and author Lisa Shepard shows home accents made with African fabrics. Aug. 1-30. Opening and book signing: Aug. 1, 6 p.m. Lynne Farris Gallery, 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 105. 404-688-7311.

African American Abstraction
Frank Bowling, Mildred Thompson, Joe Overstreet, Vandorn Hinnant, Freddie Styles, Jerald Leans, Lance Lamont, Attiya Melton, Michael Scoffield explore abstraction in paintings and sculpture. Through Aug. 4. Panel discussion: Abstract Expressionism and the African, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 3. City Gallery East, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-817-6981.

African Americans for the Arts Juried Member Exhibition __
‘’July 29-Aug. 26. The Arts Exchange, 750 Kalb St. 404-624-4211.__

African Hair: Style, Status, Symbol and Self
The traveling show examines the role of hair and hairstyling in African and African-American cultures. June 25-Aug. 20. Apex Museum, 135 Auburn Ave. 404-523-2739.

Ardmore Artists__
Gallery at Belle Isle, 4969 Roswell Road, Suite 215. 404-257-8838.

__?Athletes for the Arts ‘’
Both a visual artist and an Atlanta Falcon, Pellom McDaniels III organized this exhibition of work by athletes from across the country. July 8-Aug. 6. Studio Space, Woodruff Arts Center, 404-733-4400.

The Black Arts Movement in Poetry and Literature: Print Culture of the 1960s and ’70s. __
Ongoing. Emory University, Robert W. Woodruff Library, Jones Room, 1380 Oxford Road. 404-727-6123.

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Brand New Beginning: A Documentary Project
Photographer Lynn Marshall Linnemeier looks at lives and lifestyles of women in the Reynoldstown artists’ community. July 21-Sept. 9. Opening: July 21, 7 p.m. Tea with Reynoldstown women: July 29, 10:30 a.m. 404-350-8480.

To Conserve A Legacy: American Art From Historically Black Colleges
The show highlights a range of African-American art in six university collections. June 13-Sept. 24. Panel Discussion: Aug. 5, 10:30 a.m. Clark Atlanta Art Galleries, 223 James Brawley Drive, 404-880-6102. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-4400.

Expressions of Black Culture through the Visual Arts
This show juxtaposes the art of African Americans William Tolliver, Thornton Dial and Archie Byron with work by South Africans Winston Saoli, Muzi Donga and Nicholas Mukomberanwa. Aug. 3-6. Morehouse College, Archer Hall, 830 Westview St. 404-614-3782.

Gregory Henry: Icons of a Landscape
A Guyana-born artist shows paintings, prints and sculptures. Through August. Braids, Twists & Locks Film Installation July 28-Aug. 6. Yard Party: Aug. 3, 7-11 p.m. Hammonds House Galleries, 503 Peeples St. 404-752-8730.

Images of the African Diaspora
Mixed-media paintings depict iconic African figures. July 28-Aug. 6. Carl Owens Studios, Studioplex, 659 Auburn Ave. Suite 268. 404-581-9486.

Local Heroes: Paintings and Sculpture by Sam Doyle July ct. 14.
__High Museum of Art Folk Art and Photography Galleries, 133 Peachtree St. 404-577-6940.

__?Looking Forward/Looking Black ‘’
Artists including Emma Amos, Robert Colescott, Lyle Ashton Harris, Alison Saar and Kara Walker look at the historic portrayal of the black body. July 29-Oct. 6. Opening reception on July 29, 5 p.m. Georgia State University Art Galleries, 10 Peachtree Center Ave. 404-651-2257.

The Mule Train: A Journey of Hope Remembered by Roland Freeman__
June 16-Aug. 10. Opening June 16, 7 p.m. Reflections in Black: A History of Black Photographers, 1840 to the Present’’ July 28-Aug. 6. Lecture and book signing by Deborah Willis-Kennedy. July 29, 2 p.m. The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, 101 Auburn Ave. 404-730-4001.__

Multiple Points of Departure 10 artists center their work on the African American experience, revealing influences from Africa, the Caribbean and urban America. July 25-Oct. 6. Reception: July 28, 6 p.m. City Gallery at Chastain, 135 W. Wieuca Road. 404-257-1804.

Narratives of African American Art & Identity: The David C. Driskell Collection
The transformation of African American identity is brought to life through Driskell’s collection of 19th and 20th century art. Through Sept. 24. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-4400.

Original Lithographs by African American Artists
Rolling Stone Press shows original lithographs created by Benny Andrews, Trena Banks, Mildred Thompson, Wadsworth Jarrell and others. July 29-Sept. 30. Opening: July 29, 7 p.m. Daily demonstrations: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 432 Calhoun St. 404-873-3322.

Persistent Images — Where I Long to Be
Lynn Marshall-Linnemeier and Shelia Turner display their photographs from Africa and Australia. July 21-Aug. 30. Atrium Gallery, Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, College Park. 404-209-3170.

Pressures, Pride & Promise: An Interactive Exhibit of African American Images, Symbols & Expressions__ July 28-Aug. 5. Morehouse School of Medicine, MRC Research Wing, 720 Westview Drive. 404-752-1740.

__?Radcliffe Bailey: Spiritual Migration’’
Bailey creates a sensorial environment remembering African-American history. June 2-Aug. 13. Atlanta College of Art Gallery, 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-5051.

Recollections__
’’ June 21-Aug. 19. Connell Gallery, 333 Buckhead Ave. 404-261-1712.__

Remembrance of a Legacy? Artists of Historically Black Colleges and Universities
The juried exhibition celebrates artists from 19 historically black colleges and universities. July 20-Aug. 15. Morris Brown College at Ruth Hall Hodges Art Gallery, 643 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. 404-739-1182.

A Love Supreme
Yuseuf A. K. Rasheed exhibits his paintings of jazz musicians. July 28-Sept. 15. Rasheed Gallery of Fine Art, 659 Auburn Ave. 404-521-9955.

Rewind
Photographers from Sistagraphy present work from past thematic shows. Ongoing. Opening: July 28, 7 p.m. Studioplex, 659 Auburn Ave. 404-577-8310.

Sam Doyle and Friends: 20th Century Folk Art Masters
June 11-Sept. 30. Barbara Archer Gallery, 1123 Zonolite Road, Suite 27. 404-815-1545.

Sojourn of the Mind __
‘’July 28-Aug. 6. Opening: July 30, 3 p.m. Discussions: Why Invest in Art? July 28, 6 p.m. Art Should Do More Than Decorate Your Walls, Aug. 2 and 5, 6 p.m. Cassie’s Amber Art, 50 Upper Alabama St., Suite 242. 678-342-7498.__

Still Here: Swinging Jazz Photographs by Jim Alexander
The Atlanta-based photographer chronicles the lives of great jazz legends. July 24-Sept. 8. Artist’s Talks: July 28, Aug. 4, Reception: Aug. 1, 7 p.m. Youth tour: Aug. 2, 10 a.m. Robert W. Woodruff Library, Virginia Massey Jones Exhibition Hall, Atlanta University Center, 659 Auburn Ave., Suite 254. 404-799-1906.

Sub-Saharan African Art and Mummies & More: The Lure of Egypt __
Ongoing. Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, 571 S. Kilgo St. 404-727-4282.

__? Transgression and Transformation: Arturo Lindsay and Michael Harris ‘’
Two artists from the African Diaspora examine the effect of adversities and metamorphic changes. July 28-Sept. 2. Opening July 28, 7 p.m. Kubatana Gallery, 1841 Peachtree Road. 404-355-5764.

Visions and Voices: Africa to America
Through March 9. Atlanta International Museum, Marquis II Tower, 285 Peachtree Center Ave. 404-688-2467.

When the Spirit Moves: African American Art Inspired by Dance
African American artists reflect on African sources of inspiration and the nurturing power of dance. June 20-Nov. 18. Spelman College Museum of Fine Art, Cosby Center, 350 Spelman Lane. 404-681-3643.

When the Spirit Moves: The Africanization of American Dance
This exhibition provides a historical overview of the influences of African dance on American culture. June 17-Nov. 7. The Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road. 404-814-4151.

Full coverage of __The National Black Arts Festival
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