‘A JOURNEY THROUGH AFRICA’ TREKS THROUGH DELRAY BEACH FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH - Antiquities on Loan from Lynn University’s Collection Displayed at Spady Museum

Delray Beach, FL – January 24, 2011 – The drama and diversity of Africa’s artistry will be featured in Delray Beach, as two venues – including the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum – collaborate for a multi-location exhibit that begins February 3, 2011 and continues through Black History Month.
 
“A Journey Through Africa: Masks, Music, and Warriors” presents a selection of African ceremonial masks and sculptures, musical instruments, tools, weapons and some functional objects made in a variety of media, including wood and cast metals, on loan from the collection of Lynn University in Boca Raton. Different elements of the collection represent works of 14 tribal groups from nine geographic regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. “A Journey Through Africa” will be on display concurrently at the Spady Museum, 170 NW Fifth Avenue, and the Delray Beach Public Library, 100 West Atlantic Avenue (www.delraylibrary.org) through March 24.

Royal Ceremonial Drinking Horn—small in size – carved buffalo horn with dark brown patina, incised spider motif, un-carved plain tip. 20th century.  6.50" h x 2.375" w x 2.625"d, mounted. 

 
This partnership is the first major initiative of the Creative City Collaborative, the Spady Museum and the Library. Creative City Collaborative is a nonprofit organization created to build the cultural infrastructure that celebrates Delray Beach as a creative, authentic and intimate city. The Collaborative has planned a schedule of events in support of the exhibit and Black History Month.
 
“The Spady Museum is thrilled to be a part of The Collaborative’s efforts to bring the collection of this caliber and mastery to Delray Beach,” said Brandy Brownlee, museum educator for the Spady Museum. “In the same way that the exhibit demonstrates the many faces of African art, Delray Beach is celebrating the many faces of its residents and their cultural gifts to each other. Many thanks are extended to Lynn University for allowing Delray Beach to showcase its fantastic collection in this manner.”

Royal Male Ancestral Figure- small of carved wood covered with indigenous royal fabric & glass seed bead male figure standing holding drinking horn in right hand, head adorned with cowrie shells, turquoise blue face, blue & yellow checkerboard pattern covers body. 20th century.  16.75" h x 6.50" w x 5.50"d, mounted.
 

 
“A Journey Through Africa” is significant in its attempt to paint the continent in the many colors its populations demand. For a variety of reasons, the public’s view of African art is often generalized into a singular stereotype of primitive tribal art. This generalization has resulted in part from early 20th century artists, like Picasso, who was influenced by the visual directness and geometric patterns of African art. By the mid-20th century, African art was often shown like western art, devoid of cultural context or explanation in art European and American art galleries and museums.
 
About the Spady Museum: Celebrating its 10th anniversary with the theme of “History and Heroes” in 2011, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, a non-profit organization located at 170 NW 5th Avenue in Delray Beach, is dedicated to discovering, collecting and sharing the African-American history and heritage of Florida. The Spady plays host to rotating exhibits featuring contributions of the African-, Haitian- and Caribbean-American cultures to the artistic landscape of Florida and the U.S., as well as a full schedule of community events, special fundraisers, public education programs and children’s activities. It is the only museum of its kind in Palm Beach County. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children. The Museum is open Mon – Fri from 11am – 4pm and Saturday from 10am – 2pm. For more information, call 561-279-8883 or visit www.spadymuseum.org