The Harlem Fine Arts Show is the largest traveling art show in the U.S. dedicated to showcasing artists and art of the African diaspora; and it’s set to launch this week with events throughout All-Star weekend, from Feb. 12 through Feb. 15. The 2015 preview reception was held at the New York Times’ corporate headquarters in Manhattan, with music, drinks and attendees being offered the chance to talk to some of the artists and learn more about what to look forward to this year’s HFAS.
Legendary photographer Chuck Stewart was honored by Jazzmobile and received a special award from Robin Bell-Stevens, executive director and CEO. Stewart’s photography has become an indelible part of jazz’s history; his photos of John Coltrane are now in the Smithsonian. Younger photographers like Grayson Dantzic and Hakim Mutlaq studied under Stewart’s mentorship.
“I am not accustomed to this sort of thing, but it feels good,” Stewart told the Amsterdam News. “I am honored that people think so much of me and my work. I always try to capture my subjects in their most flattering pose of the moment.”
The HFAS is a platform for artists and galleries to exhibit work that is inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. Traveling to Washington, D.C., Martha’s Vineyard and Chicago, this year’s show includes Leroy Campbell, Vera Hart, Laura James, Frank Frazier and Carole Joy Gellineau; the “Winston and Carolyn Lowe Lecture Series” and a youth empowerment program.
“My artwork is graphite designs and I started Carole Joy Creations in 1985 because there was a void in the greeting card industry regarding African American art,” explains Gellineau. “We became what I considered a success, but I soon found out that the industry demanded color. So I started adding paintings … I started hiring freelance artists to work with me.
“When I first started this was non-existent. It just was not out there. They were called African American cards but they didn’t really represent our people. There was no Harlem Fine Arts Show at that time, so there was no outlet for artists and their work.”
With music from the Danny Mixon Quartet, Solomon Hicks and Cliff Lee Plus Three, art lovers (including actresses S. Epatha Merkenson and Sidra Smith) enjoyed the ambience and the stimulating conversation with artists and fellow art aficionados; which is a big part of what the show is about.
“It’s a great platform for artists to show their work, it’s conceptually a networking platform and a great opportunity for folks to come in and all have a common goal and purpose,” explains Ricardo Matthias, business development manager for the HFAS. “Enjoy the art and enjoy the music, it’s providing a ‘cultural nutrition.’ It’s a very cultural event, this is taking place during Black History Month so this is a tremendous opportunity to bring African Americans and people from outside cultures into this world.”
Matthias believes that there is an opportunity to fill a space that’s been left open by cutbacks in public schools. He wants the Harlem Fine Arts Show to remind everyone that black art matters.
“There is a tremendous void because not many schools are providing these programs for art,” he says. “This is especially true in places that are impoverished. So this is a great platform to challenge people to embrace their creative side. Art is typically the first thing that is cut in schools where kids are underprivileged. “
“It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m just so thrilled to be a part of it,” says Gellineau. “There are so many artists out there who never get the opportunity to be in a show like this. Hopefully, this will lead to more coming forward and being a part of this.”
