Arts & Entertainment

Mavuno: Opening Reception Celebrates African American Art at Sweetwater

The opening at Sweetwater Center for the Arts, coinciding with the annual Fall Gallery Walk, kicked off the 'In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens' exhibit, which runs through November.

After working hard behind the scenes, Elizabeth "Betty" Asche Douglas was excited to see the wide selection of visual art come alive at Sweetwater Center for the Arts.

“I’m highly gratified,” said Douglas, curator for “Tending Our Mothers' Gardens,” named for a 1973 essay by Alice Walker.

An opening reception for the art exhibit took place Friday night as part of the 16th annual Mavuno Festival: First Fruit XVI. Mavuno is a Swahili word translated to mean “Harvest” or “First Fruit.”

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Every aspect was unifying, from the sounds of female musical performer Joy Ike to the six contemporary female artists who make up the exhibit.

Douglas said the all of the artists have roots in African art and were selected for a cohesive show.  Douglas, also an artist, said she wanted the show to have meaning, not just a bunch of paintings hanging together.

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The artists were on hand Friday to discuss their works.

Each takes a different approach to visual art, but all use profound emotional expression, Douglas said said. As a special touch, arrangements were created by members of the Village Garden Club to compliment the art. 

The exhibit runs through Nov. 2 and features the following artists: Leslie Ansley, Christine McCray Bethea, Tina Williams Brewer, Charlotte Ka, LaVerne Kemp and Ann Tanksley.

Douglas is scheduled to give a lecture Friday, Oct. 5 on “Tending Our Mothers’ Gardens.” The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. in the community room at Sweetwater.

Mavuno festivities continue today with a free Children's Workshop at Sweetwater. 

The two-day art workshop will teach children how to make their own felted flowers and vines from wool and decorate them with brightly colored beads. The workshop runs 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Pre-registration is required.


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