For one night only, Gainesville museumgoers found themselves immersed in the culture of a place far from Alachua County: Africa.<\/p>\n
The Harn Museum of Art hosted \u201cAfrica Everywhere,\u201d an Africa-themed exhibition event Thursday. Celebrating the \u201cbeauty of the arts of Africa and the African diaspora,\u201d the program was one of Harn\u2019s many Museum Nights: monthly showcases that allow visitors to interact with unique art, speakers and attractions. The featured artwork will still be available for viewing following the event.<\/p>\n
Thursday\u2019s showcase spotlighted \u201cPosing Beauty in African American Culture,\u201d the museum\u2019s newest exhibition, as well as select pieces of artwork by artists across Africa. The exhibit is available to visitors until June 4.<\/p>\n
Featuring pieces with Ghanaian, Ethiopian, Kenyan and South African influence, the exhibit provided some attendees, such as Danielle Ramsaroop, a 20-year-old UF psychology sophomore, with an opportunity to explore their heritage.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do want to know more of my roots,\u201d Ramsaroop said. \u201cI\u2019m hoping that by looking at these artistic things I\u2019ll be able to figure it out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Being in the presence of authentic African artwork motivated her to learn more about her Malian and Nigerian ancestry, she said.<\/p>\n
The Harn\u2019s showcase also gave a platform to several American-born artists, highlighting the transglobal influence of African patterns on their projects. These creators included Kehinde Wiley, whose contemporary portrait of former President Barack Obama skyrocketed him to fame in 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cDogon Couple,\u201d Wiley\u2019s vibrant depiction of two Senegalese men, marked the entrance of Thursday\u2019s exhibit collection. As the museum attracted a steady stream of visitors throughout the evening, many stopped to stare at its African prints and contrasting colors.<\/p>\n
For Augusto Soledade, a UF dance professor, Wiley\u2019s painting drew him further into the showcase.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love Kehinde Wiley\u2019s paintings,\u201d he said. \u201cI was mesmerized by the level of detail and realism you can see in it.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a descendant of Africans himself, Soledade spoke to the importance of Wiley\u2019s work on informing others of the modern aspect of African culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfrica is not only about the past,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s about the present and the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Karen Garren, a 69-year-old UF alum, said appreciating the African continent starts with being open to learning new perspectives. Since visiting eastern Africa in the 1980s, she\u2019s been interested in learning more about the region and encouraging others to do the same, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a global humanity,\u201d Garren said. \u201cWe have to learn from each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Culture was a central part of \u201cAfrica Everywhere,\u201d which featured performances by the UF Afro Pop and Agbedidi Ensembles.<\/p>\n
Kristen Louder, a 22-year-old UF alum and performer at the event, said participating left her excited to see a more culturally diverse Gainesville community.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am always open to put on a show for my Black community\u2026in the Gainesville area,\u201d Louder said. \u201cIt\u2019s very important for everyone to come out here and see Black culture.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the sounds of traditional West African instruments filled Harn\u2019s exhibit hall, some attendees were prompted to reflect on the powers of cultural appreciation. To Kuwala Ngwee Avery, a 69-year-old retired UF business specialist, the sounds of African drums were healing for her, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a part of my African history brings me joy,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m so happy to have reunited with my people that we were separated from many years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s vital to celebrate African culture during Black History Month due to the significant ties between the U.S. and African history, Avery said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn spite of all the pain and suffering that people went through, this place represents many different cultures,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s important to continue \u2013 we\u2019re meant to be a part of the whole Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Showcase highlighted arts, sounds of African Diaspora<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12963,"featured_media":25898,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,12],"tags":[7,30,14],"class_list":{"0":"post-25901","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-culture","8":"category-entertainment","9":"tag-apie-project","10":"tag-culture","11":"tag-entertainment"},"yoast_head":"\n