Out of Africa Returns to South Main Arts District

In celebration of Black History Month, the fifth edition of the art exhibition, Out of Africa returns to Art Village Gallery and the South Main Arts District bringing contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora to the forefront. The international exhibition features contemporary artwork created by four emerging artists, including Nigerian-born artists, Adewale Adenle and Norbert Okpu, and international rising stars, Houston-based Robert Pruitt and Trinidadian-born, Los Angeles based Miles Regis. The exhibition will be a destination for new and established collectors, art patrons and cultural tastemakers.

Out of Africa launches on Thursday, January 25, 2018 from 4pm-7pm, offering a special Collector's First Look + Press Reception where media and invited guests will join curator, Sheila Urevbu, for a private first look complete with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Lite bites and a cappuccino pop-up bar with a private barista will be provided at the formal public opening on Friday, January 26 from 6pm - 8pm for attendees. The annual exhibition will run through Saturday March 3, 2018.

Taking place at Art Village Gallery, which specializes in curating culturally significant exhibitions and experiences that inspire an appreciation for diversity and culture, the Out of Africa exhibition encompasses both the upper and newer lower level exhibition space in the gallery. In addition to the exhibition, Art Village Gallery will offer an exciting schedule of special events, performances and talks to complement the exhilarating experience including:

Beats of Africa music sets by local favorite, DJ Crystal Mercedes, to be performed as a kick off to opening night; Indie film screenings by African and American-American filmmakers, curated by University of Memphis art history professor, Dr. Earnestine Jenkins; a panel discussion on Lost Roots: The Disconnect Between Africans and African-Americans, coordinated by University of Memphis African Student Association President,Chol Rambang; and Dream of a Land: an evening of Art + Poetry curated by author, poet and editor, Sheree Rene?e Thomas, featuring Jacqueline Johnson, a New-York based South Carolina poet and Marcus Wicker of the University of Memphis MFA program, with music by Ekpe Abiota, of the African Jazz Ensemble.

"The exhibition will honor the traditional concepts of African art, but also introduce an interesting mix and match of modern and contemporary expressions and techniques," says Out of Africa curator and gallery director, Sheila Urevbu. "My goal is to continue to expose our neighborhood and surrounding community to other cultures using the language of art."

About Art Village Gallery: Art Village Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery located in the historic South Main Arts District in Memphis, TN and has the primary purpose of supporting and promoting the work of emerging international artists. Founded in 1991 by Ephraim Urevbu and currently led by Sheila Urevbu, the gallery has established a reputation for designing and showcasing culturally significant exhibitions and experiences that inspire an appreciation for diversity and culture.

Photo: Adewale Adenle, They've Gone Fishing 36x48x6, 2016, oil 3D panel mixed media

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