16th Annual Citywide African American Artists Exhibition
February 1–March 3, 2012
Sponsored by the MFAH through the African American Art Advisory Association (Five-A), the annual Citywide exhibitions offer artists the opportunity to show their work to a broader public, and to the collecting community. The 16th annual Citywide African American Artists Exhibition takes place from February 1 to March 3 at the Community Artists’ Collective and the Heritage Plaza, sponsored by Arts Brookfield.
The 16th Annual Citywide Exhibition is curated by artist/curator Michael K. Taylor. The awarded prizes will be juried by artist Floyd Newsum, Professor of Art at the University of Houston Downtown, artist George Smith, Professor Emeritus of Art at Rice University, and Joan Bristow, artist and winner of the 2011 Wearable Art at Texas Southern University.
Opening Celebrations
Wednesday, February 1, 6–8 p.m., Heritage Plaza Lobby (1111 Bagby)
Friday, February 3, 6–8 p.m., Community Artists’ Collective (1413 Holman, Tea Room Gallery)
Prize Ceremony
Friday, March 2, 6–8 p.m., Community Artists’ Collective (Prize winners announced at 7 p.m.)
• 1st prize: $500 and a full scholarship for one studio art class at the MFAH Glassell School of Art
• 2nd prize: $250
• 3rd prize: $250
Artist Conversations and Curatorial Talks
Each Thursday starting February 9 at Heritage Plaza
Select Saturdays at Community Artists’ Collective
During the run of the exhibition, a series of Artist Conversations opens a dialogue with the exhibiting artists, curator, organizers, and the public. Topics include creating, collecting, and displaying fine art. Please visit thecollective.org for information about speakers.
Participating Artists Moses Adams, Ron Adams, D’jomme Adia, Hardy Allen, Lashun Beal, Vonetta Berry, Emile C. Browne, Lanre Buraimoh, Valerie Burkes, Cynthia Burleson, Quenton Byers, Eugene Campbell, Kerri Carmouche, Alton Cooper, Quincy Cooper, Joanne Edwards, Akua Fayette, Toyin Folorunso, Pamela Frazier, Leonard Freeman, Jevon Gee, Clyde Ellington Grant II, Lisa E. Harris, Derek Hawkins, Jamil Higley, Keith Hollingsworth, Emma Horace, Dedrick James, Cletus O. Johnson, Dannye Jones, kYmberly Keeton, Linda Simien Kelly, Kelvin Latson, Dekeita McClenon, Tony McMillian, Gail Mebane, Kula Moore, Quentin Pace, Alton Pearce, Frank Perkins, Bridgette A. Phillips, Justin Ransburg, Ezra Roy, Deanna Santiago, Rev. Adreon Scott, Elizabeth Montgomery Shelton, Micah Simmons, Farrah Smith, Mike Thomas, Jasmin Vann, Donald Walker, Charles Washington, Curtis Williams, Jackie Williams, Gery Wych
Five-A, the African American Art Advisory Association at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, was established in 1993 to enhance the museum’s collection of African American and African art. At the end of each year, Five-A uses its membership dues and other fund-raising proceeds to purchase major works for the permanent collection of the museum. In addition to sponsoring the work of acclaimed artists, Five-A also has championed artists history has overlooked. The support and guidance of Five-A has been instrumental in shepherding up-and-coming artists into the collection. Since its founding, Five-A has brought an impressive 44 objects into the museum’s collection.
The Community Artists’ Collective (The Collective) was conceived in 1985 by Michelle Barnes, artist, art educator and director of Barnes-Blackman Galleries, and Dr. Sarah Trotty, artist and art educator at Texas Southern University. The Collective was organized to meet the needs of professional African American artists with a special sensitivity to African American women artists. The Community Artists’ Collective programs are supported in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and the Texas Commission on the Arts and through collaborations with community organizations. The Collective is a member of the Fresh Arts Coalition.
Arts Brookfield (Houston) of Brookfield Properties owns and manages many of the buildings which create downtown Houston’s signature skyline, including the Allen Center and Cullen Center properties and the Heritage Plaza. Arts Brookfield animates its public spaces in major cities across North America with acclaimed free visual and performing arts.
