February’s visual, theater and literary offerings have been enriched by events highlighting Black History Month.
It’s the last weekend to catch some, but others remain open to provide entré to Africa Atlanta 2014, a yearlong, citywide series of events focusing on Atlanta as a nexus for reinventing cultural and economic bonds among Africa, Europe and the Americas.
Here is information about Africa Atlanta, and highlights of remaining shows.
Digging ‘Roots’ in Roswell
One of Atlanta's most comprehensive Black History Month celebrations, Roswell Roots' 13th edition, has included art exhibitions, concerts, theater productions, workshops and a cornbread cook-off.
Still on display: Atlanta photographer Sheila Pree Bright’s “Invisible Suburbia,” a monthlong exhibit spotlighting middle-class African-American suburban homes, at the antebellum Barrington Hall; and Bright Star Touring Theatre’s “Let It Shine: The American Civil Rights Movement,” 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Teaching Museum North.
770-641-3705, www.roswellroots.com.
From Africa to Atlanta
Africa Atlanta 2014 officially launches Feb. 28 with the exhibit “Mapping Place: Africa Beyond Paper” at Georgia Tech’s Robert C. Williams Paper Museum. But you needn’t wait to check out events already popping up under the festival’s umbrella:
“A Black Odyssey,” at Emory University’s Michael C. Carlos Museum through March 9, showcases the late Romare Bearden’s 1940s and 1970s interpretations of Homer’s epic poems “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey.”
“African Mask/Masquerade: More Than Meets the Eye,” at the High Museum of Art through June 1, presents 17 works from western and central Africa detailing the diversity of creative expression of African masquerade performances.
In “Renée Stout: Tales of the Conjure Woman,” at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art through May 17, the Washington multimedia artist explores African-derived folk beliefs of hoodoo and conjuring.
“Arts Race to Embrace: James Pate’s KKK Series, Kin Killin’ Kin,” at Clark Atlanta University Art Galleries through March 7, finds the Ohio artist addressing the epidemic of gun violence in urban communities.
Artists’ take on Trayvon Martin
The pundits and politicians had their say about the 2012 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida. Now area artists give their interpretation in “Remembering Trayvon: A Community Collective Exhibition.”
The exhibit, in the Auburn Avenue Research Library Satellite Gallery at Hammonds House Museum, ends Sunday, features renderings and interpretations of Martin, from hand-drawn to digital.
$4; $2 students and ages $55 and up. 503 Peeples St. S.W., Atlanta. 404-612-0500, www.afpls.org/events-aarl.
KKK + civil rights = surprise
The setup sounds like utter fiction: A civil rights activist and a KKK leader put aside prejudice and fear and form an alliance based upon respect and trust. Except that Mark St. Germain’s new drama “The Best of Enemies,” adapted from Osha Gray Davidson’s book, is based on a true story.
Theatrical Outfit is staging “Enemies,” last performances this weekend.
$20-$50. Balzer Theatre at Herren's, 84 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. 1-877-725-8849, www.theatricaloutfit.org.
An art prize offering many gifts
Ten years after the High Museum of Art established the David C. Driskell Prize to honor the influence of African-Americans in art history and art scholarship, a new exhibit shows how the association with the noted artist, educator, scholar and curator has enhanced the museum’s permanent collection.
"A Decade of David C. Driskell" pairs a print portfolio by the Eatonton native with winners of the Driskell Prize through June 15 (including Willie Cole, Xaviera Simmons and Renee Stout) and also includes works acquired through a fund established in Driskell's honor (including works by Radcliffe Bailey, Julie Mehretu and Martin Puryear).
Also on view: “Civil Rights Photography, 1956-1968” (through June 1).
$19.50; $16.50 65 and over and students; $12 ages 6-17; free, 5 and younger. 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-733-4444, www.high.org.
Honoring an artist and mentor
The half-century-plus career of one of Atlanta’s pre-eminent visual artists and educators is celebrated in the Hudgens Center for the Arts exhibit “Evolving Visions — Larry Walker & Colleagues.” The show includes more than 20 works by the Georgia State University School of Art and Design professor emeritus as well as pieces by a quintet of the many metro artists the Franklin native has inspired: Joe Camoosa, Patricia Drew, Eleanor Neal, Yanique Norman and Michael Scoffield.
Through March 29. $5; $3 ages 62 and up, students and children. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, Duluth. 770-623-6002, www.thehudgens.org.
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