LeRoy Neiman Art Center to Host CHANGING THE GAME Reception, 2/13

The Arts Horizons LeRoy Neiman Art Center in collaboration with Defending Your Dream Inc. presents Changing The Game, an exhibition inspired by professional basketball games and players, February 10th - 28th, 2015; Opening Reception on Friday, February 13th 6-9 pm.

The exhibition will present visual art created and collected by professional basketball players and their contemporaries including Art 1- NYC-based emerging artist; Willie Davis- Former ABA Player (Texas Chaparrals) and currently an African Art Collector; Boris Diaw - NBA Player with the San Antonio Spurs and an accomplished photographer; Bobby Hunter- Former Harlem Globetrotter (1966 to 1974) and celebrity artist; Jennifer Ivey & Rod Ivey- NYC Artists and parents of Royal Ivey, former NBA Player; Billi Kid - Contemporary Artist & Designer; the work of LeRoy Neiman - Contemporary Artist & Sports' Enthusiast; Michael J. Singletary- Contemporary Harlem Artist; TAFA- Ghanaian and United States Sports Academy's Artist of the Year (2010); and Dwyane Wade - NBA All-Star, Miami Heat Point Guard and Artist. "This is an exciting opportunity for us to present an exhibition of visual art by professional basketball players who are also visual artists and, who are collectors along with the works of professional artists whose works are inspired by the game," says Marline A. Martin, Executive Director, Arts Horizons LeRoy Neiman Art Center.

Changing The Game is being co-organized to challenge the stereotype of the young African American male athlete and to broaden the public perception of off the court activities as well as to take advantage of the NBA All Star weekend in New York City. The exhibition features visual art of all mediums including large and small paintings, photographs, mixed media and sculptures to create a bold and colorful visual language that is relevant to the artistic precedents of the professional athlete and to change the game with new conversations that showcase their varied talents. "One of the goals of Changing The Game is to challenge the media interpretation of young African American male sports professionals as irresponsible consumers, parents and offenders of the law," says Rod Ivey, co-curator and organizer of Defending The Dream Inc. "By doing so, it also wishes to express the vast and varied artistic, cultural and educational production of these individuals."

A portion of the sale of artwork will go to support charities that focus on honing young athletes' educational and artistic needs including the Arts Horizons LeRoy Neiman Art Center, whose mission is to strengthen the community through the arts, and Defending the Dream, Inc., whose mission is to make a possible difference in the lives of children by assisting them and their families in realistic self examination and goal setting. The LeRoy Neiman Art Center is located at 2785 Frederick Douglass Blvd at 148th Street in Harlem. The Center is open Monday & Wednesday, 12-6:00pm; Tuesday & Thursday, 10am-8:00pm & Saturdays 10:00-4:00 pm.