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Restoration Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Opening of 'Brooklyn is Africa' Exhibit, a Showcase of Rare African Art

Spirit Mask of the Igbo People | Late 18 Century | Nigeria-- one of the pieces that will be on display will be on display as a part of the "Brooklyn is Africa: A Borough of Inclusion; A Continent of Invention" Exhibit at Skylight Gallery In celebrati
Spirit Mask of the Igbo People | Late 18 Century | Nigeria-- one of the pieces that will be on display will be on display as a part of the "Brooklyn is Africa: A Borough of Inclusion; A Continent of Invention" Exhibit at Skylight Gallery

In celebration of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation's 50th Anniversary, The Center for Arts & Culture has teamed up with the Cultural Museum of African Art to present the art exhibit "Brooklyn is Africa: A Borough of Inclusion; A Continent of Invention."

The exhibit, which opened on February 10 and will run through April 28 at the Skylight Gallery, is a showcase of 50 rare African art pieces and artifacts from the collection of co-curator and founder at the Cultural Museum of African Arts Eric Edwards and Co-Curator Hollis King, acclaimed creative director at The Center for Arts & Culture.  

"The story of Eric Edward's collection is, in many ways, the story of Restoration," said Dr. Indira Etwaroo, executive director of The Center for Arts & Culture at Restoration. "This is a man who has devoted his life to cherishing and preserving that which symbolizes the most precious, beautiful and human aspects of who we are as a people and presents that to the world."

[perfectpullquote align="right" cite="" link="" color="" class="" size=""]"The African-American story did not start in 1619 on American soil, but rather on the continent of Africa, an ancient civilization of great leaders, inventors and art-makers."[/perfectpullquote]

The exhibit highlights African art as integral to African life and a fundamental part of culture, embodying utility in all forms-- from tools to utensils to dress to musical instruments; African art rarely was created for art's sake.

The 2,500 piece collection has taken Edwards 46 years to amass and represents all 54 countries in Africa with artifacts dating as far back as the Nubian Empire. Rare pieces on display include carved stone sculptures dating back 4,000 years to the Nok Dynasty (Niger), a carved wooden royal coffin and Ebo ceremonial dance dresses, to name a few.

This early 20th century Tikar mask from Cameroon, will be on display as a part of the "Brooklyn is Africa: A Borough of Inclusion; A Continent of Invention" Exhibit at Skylight Gallery

"The African-American story did not start in 1619 on American soil, but rather on the continent of Africa, an ancient civilization of great leaders, inventors and art-makers," Etwaroo added. "What better place to share this collection than here in the African village that is Brooklyn and what better time than the 50th anniversary of Restoration."

Accompanying the exhibit will be a menu of collaborative programs, including readings, discussions and tours:

A Conversation. Thursday, March 30, 7:00pm - 9:00pm, featuring Eric Edwards, collector, Co-Curator and Founder of the Cultural Museum of African Art; Moderated by acclaimed artist and curator, Danny Simmons

Skylight Open

Join us for an after-hours exhibit experience with new music and a complimentary wine and beer bar.  Free and open to the public at 7:00pm; March 9 | April 16

Weekend Mimosas 

Complimentary mimosas served to the first 50 attendees on Sat and Sun, 12 - 2 pm, minimum age 21 years 

Docent-Led School Tours

Tuesday through Thursday from 10:30 — 11:30AM | $150 per class (max 30 students per class); Contact: Karlvy Smith (718) 636-6949 | ksmith@restorationplaza.org

VIP Skylight Gallery Tour and Talk

To host a VIP event at the Skylight Gallery with a docent-led tour and conversation with Collector and Founder Eric Edwards, and Co-Curator Hollis King, please contact Barbara Bullard at bbullard@restorationplaza.org. VIP Skylight Gallery Tour and Talk is subject to gallery availability.

Brooklyn is Africa: A Borough of Inclusion; A Continent of Invention, in collaboration with Cultural Museum of African Art,  is open to the general public February 10 — April 28, 2017, Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00am — 6:00pm, at the Skylight Gallery, located at 1368 Fulton Street, 3rd floor.




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