Harlem Fine Arts Show Returns to Chicago
The beautiful sculptures of master artist Woodrow Nash one of the artist who has participated i the HFAS
Harlem Fine Arts Show returns to Merchandise Mart October 29 – Nov. 1
2nd Annual event recognizes Chicago art, civic and business community whileoffering the finest in African American art
Highly regarded as the largest travelingAfrican Diaspora art show and sale in the United States, Harlem Fine Arts Show returns to Chicago’s Merchandise Mart October 29 through November 1 to celebrate Chicago’s Artist month. The Harlem Fine Arts Show (HFAS) is the largest traveling African art show of its kind in the United States. Since its inception in 2009, it has had over 60,000 plus visitors, traveled to more than 10 cities as well as showcased more than 100 artists and galleries. HFAS track record has proven its ability to bring people of all different backgrounds together in celebration of the fine arts of the African Diaspora and the artists who create it. Inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, HFAS provides a platform for visionaries of African descent as well as American visual artists to exhibit and sell their artwork. The Harlem Fine Arts Show provides economic empowerment, educational opportunities, and professional recognition within the multicultural community.
The Harlem Fine Arts Show Opening Night Gala Reception Takes place this evening Thursday October 29 at 6 p.m. benefitting the North Shore (IL) Chapter, The Links Incorporated. The event will also recognize leaders in the Chicago arts community.
The amazing success of HFAS first event in Chicago last year sealed the deal for its return this year. According to Dion Clarke, founder of the Harlem Fine Art Show, “Harlem in New York City and Bronzeville in Chicago are two of the most celebrated African-American communities in the world. Chicago has one of the most sophisticated and arts savvy Black community compared to any marked by the artist community here and its supporters.”
‘Black People’ by Frank Fraizer
We are excited to be returning to Chicago’s Merchandise Mart this fall to close out Chicago Artist Month with this celebrated show and sale.”
According to the book Black Chicago Renaissance edited by Darlene Clark Hine and John
Contemporary images by Brenda Joysmith
Friday, October 30 is designated Youth Empowerment Day when CPS students will participate in tours and seminars from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The show opens to the public at 6 p.m. with a Salute to Multi-Cultural Business recognizing Chicago’s African American business leaders. Honorees for Friday include Veranda Dickens, Board Chair, Seaway Bank & Trust; Louis Dodd, Allstate Insurance Premier Agency; Merry Green, MGPG Events, Inc.; Monica Haslip, Executive Director Little Black Pearl; Norma J. Williams of NJW Consulting and media executive Abe Thompson also a minority owner of the Chicago Sky basketball team.
Saturday, October 31 the show opens to the public at 10 a.m. The Author’s Pavilion will be open from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., followed by the Arts Lecture Series from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Invited artists include Faheem Majeed, Hebru Brantley, Ted Ellis, photographer Dawoud Bey and others. The day will end with an Artistic Halloween Masquerade Ball and Steppers Set from 7 p.m. – 2 a.m. Tickets to the Ball and Steppers Set are available separately.
Saturday, October 31, “Discussions by the Lake”, a thought provoking open forum about real issues facing the African American community, will be held on from 4 – 6 p.m. This discussion is quickly becoming a staple of the Harlem Fine Art Show with the most recent event held in Washington, D.C. this September. The Forum engages people of all races, ages, colors, creeds, and sexual orientations in discussions about social justice and how they can make a difference in their communities. The topic “Where do WE go from here?” addresses the current landscape of race relations, police brutality and lack of living wages facing t multicultural communities across the United States.
Moderating this discussion will beDr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr., former executive director of the NAACP and current head of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). Invited panelist include Maudlyne Ihejirika, award winning Chicago Sun Times reporter; Arlene Coleman, president of the Cook County Bar Association; artist Raymond Thomas and Princeton Professor Omar Wasow.
Sunday, November 1 the show will open from noon – 6 p.m. and feature a Jazz brunch and performances by noted Chicago Gospel Choir
Sponsors
The 2015 Harlem Fine Art Show is sponsored by United Airlines, Country Financial and Morgan Stanley. Half price tickets are available at Walgreens locations across the Chicagoland region and first time customers to the ride sharing app Lyft can receive a $20 credit by using the code HFAS2015.
Visit http://bit.ly/HFAStix for more information or to purchase tickets and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #hfaschi.
About The Harlem Fine Art Show
First held in February 2010 in New York City, the Harlem Fine Arts Show has attracted more than 60,000 visitors since its inception. HFAS debuted in Chicago in 2014. Attendees include collectors, art enthusiasts, educators, students, and professionals.
Over 80 nationally and internationally known artist, including Leroy Campbell, Paul Goodnight, Michael Escoffery, Frank Frazier, Woodrow Nash, Dane Tilghman, Brenda Joysmith, and Glenn Tunstull have been a part of the show. In addition, highly regarded known arts establishments including Louisville’s E&S Gallery, Water Kolours Fine Art in Memphis, and New York’s Savacou Gallery have also contributed works to the show.