03 Jul Hampton Art Lovers Presents The Art of a Caged Bird Singing: The Personal Art Collection of Maya Angelou at the Historic Ward Rooming House
Hampton Art Lovers Presents The Art of a Caged Bird Singing: The Personal Art Collection of Maya Angelou” & “FrancoFiles, Code Noir: A Visual Exploration of Negritude in New Orleans, Haiti and Senegal” July,11th-September 3, 2019 at the Historic Ward Rooming House.
(Miami, Florida)-July 2, 2019-Hampton Art Lovers kicks off July 11, 2019, at the Historic Ward Rooming House (249 Northwest 9th Street, Miami), showcasing selections from the personal art collection of acclaimed American poet, storyteller, activist and autobiographer, Maya Angelou.” The Art of a Caged Bird Singing: The Personal Art Collection of Maya Angelou”, will exhibit the artwork that adorned her home and inspired her poetry. Hampton Art Lovers will also present” FrancoFiles: A Visual Exploration of the Negritude in New Orleans, Haiti, and Senegal.” This is an exhibition of the Fine Art Photographs of Brooklyn photographer Phillip Shung, who has traveled extensively to discover the “connections” across the French colonies and the human capital that was plundered in the creation of the francophone world. Each exhibition runs until September 3, 2019. The Southeast Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment CRA(SEOPW) is the sponsor for the show. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/hampton-art-lovers-18084178283.
“Historically referred to as “Harlem of the South”, Overtown was once renowned as the center of Black culture and entertainment for the South, reflecting the energy of the community that found expression in the many cultural forms that existed there such as theatre, music, art, and food,” says Neil Shriver, Executive Director for the SEOPW CRA.
“In furtherance of the implementation of the Historic Overtown Culture and Entertainment Master Plan, this exhibit is a preview of Overtown once again becoming a global destination of unique culture, history, and entertainment.”
“Hampton Art Lovers is honored to showcase the artwork that adorned Maya Angelou’s home and inspired her poetry, including, Langston Hughes: Sunrise is Coming After Awhile. Poems Selected by Maya Angelou. Silkscreens by Phoebe Beasley” says Darryl Neverson, Co-Founder, Hampton Art Lovers. “And what a treat to be able to add in the works of photographer Phillip Shung. The French colonial influence is explored through the lens of the exceptional eye of Shung. Art aficionados will see how Senegal, Haiti, and New Orleans share a culture, people, and food that are connected in distinct ways.
Original lithographs from the illustrations in Maya Angelou’s book “Our Grand Mothers” by John Biggers and various selections by Dean Mitchell who illustrated Angelou’s book “Music, Rivers Deep in My Soul,” will also be a part of the exhibition. Select drawings/paintings by Tom Feelings, an artist that Dr. Angelou befriended for many years. Each of Feeling’s selections included in this exhibit was lovingly inscribed and personalized for Ms. Angelou.
About Hampton Art Lovers
Hampton Art Lovers’ mission is to inspire the individual and collective appreciation of African-American Fine Art. The group hopes to honor the heart and soul of artists and make their work discoverable by all art lovers – from novice to expert.
For more information about Hampton Art Lovers visit-www.hamptonartlovers.com.
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Historic Ward Rooming House
The Historic Ward Rooming House was built in 1925 by Shaddrack and Victoria Ward. It served as a home for both blacks and Native Americans who needed a safe place to sleep at night. It was designated a historic site by the City of Miami in 2006 and fully restored in 2010. It now serves as a gallery and event space. Built in the era of Overtown’s historic heyday, when it was known as “Colored Town,” the Ward Rooming House stands as a tribute to the history of the oldest historic black community in the City of Miami. As one of the few remaining buildings of its time, a seemingly ordinary rooming house becomes significant for the larger role, it serves in preserving the history and architecture of Miami’s Black community.