Ft. Laud's ArtServe-Salutes Black History-Feb. 16 Opening Reception

ArtServe Salutes Black History  

ArtServe and FAB! present a night
of art, entertainment and history to celebrate Black History Month. 
The opening reception, held at ArtServe's JM Family Enterprises Gallery
at 1350 East Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, February 16,
2006 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., will offer the community an opportunity to
learn about the rich African-American Culture through the visual and
the performing arts. The event is free to the public. The exhibition runs
February 6 – March 3, 2006.
  
  The exhibited works will be judged and awarded ribbons by renowned
sculptor and scholar, George Gadson.  Gadson has been commissioned to
create works of art for many high profile events and individuals including
two Super Bowl sculptures, a 12 ft. bronze sculpture, "The Bridge", for
the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, JM Family
Enterprises, Darden Restaurants, Inc., owners of Olive Garden and Red
Lobster, the Dan Marino Foundation, and world tennis players Venus and
Serena Williams. Gadson was commissioned by Broward County's Cultural
Affairs Division to work on a public art project in West Pompano Beach
Highlands County Park and on a bronze water fountain sculpture for the City
of Tamarac. He has judged a number of art competitions including the
City of Coral Springs Black History Month Art competition for the past
six years. He holds a degree from Duke University, completed studies
abroad at the University of Valencia in Spain, and is currently working on
his Masters in Theology and Biblical Studies.
  
  (Larry Robinson)

 The opening night festivities will include the one-man play, The
African American Portrait Gallery: Discovering Timeless Heroes starring
Larry Robinson. The performance originally premiered at ArtServe two years
ago. Since then, this fascinating, and much needed dramatic program has
traveled over four states and has given over 25,000 students and adults
a new perspective on African-American heroes and Black History. This
unique program provides a way to encourage literacy, enhance self esteem
and bring history to life through the magic of live, interactive
theatre. This production was written and directed by Elizabeth Perry,
especially for the performing artist, Larry Robinson and produced by Dr. Donna
Goldstein and World Arts, a division of Development Associates
International. For more detailed information on the performance visit
http://daint.org/WorldArts/Heroes/HistoryComesAlive.htm.
  
  ArtServe, celebrating over a decade of shining in the arts community,
is a non-profit organization dedicated to being the premier provider of
resources for the South Florida cultural community. ArtServe is
headquartered in the Fort Lauderdale branch library, 1350 East Sunrise
Boulevard, where it manages a multi-purpose auditorium, art gallery, dance
studio, a business center and conference rooms. ArtServe also manages a
Gallery and Gift Shop located on the second floor of the Broward County
Main Library, in downtown Fort Lauderdale, where member works are
displayed for sale.  For more information call 954-462-8190 or log on to
http://www.artserve.org
  

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