MUSEUM PROGRAMS
The Museum offers a wide range of exciting, informative and interactive public programs that give unique insights into African Art and Culture. We have a Contemporary Art Gallery, home of the Black Artist Forum, offering exhibits, workshops, discussions and performances by contemporary black artists living in Maine, as well as other artists inspired by the African Diaspora. The museum has a rotating exhibit in the Heritage Gallery with Exhibit Discussions, and a Permanent Traditional Gallery with discussions about Spirit Masks. Below are descriptions of our regularly scheduled programs. Please check back for additions and changes to the schedule as more programs are added and details are provided.
We email out updates and reminders. If you would like to be on our email list, please let us know!
africart@museumafricanculture.org
FRIENDS OF AFRICA: a bi-monthly program at the museum when someone from the community shares their travel story, humanitarian work, academic work, medical research, or perspective on historic, political, and cultural issues. Our intention is to create a community from these talks that will bridge the museum to a humanitarian project in Africa.
THE ARTIST'S STORY: an evening with the current artist in the Contemporary Art Gallery, listening to their story in relation to their exhibit, the history of their art, their process as an artist, their biography and its influence on their art.
DISCUSSION AND SPIRIT MASK PERFORMANCE: an evening with Director Oscar Mokeme when he shares his knowledge and understanding of a particular Spirit Mask, as an opening for discussions related to the teachings of the mask and issues that arise. Then a Spirit Mask will awaken and enter the gathering offering blessings and healing for those present.
Please check back to this page for additions or changes in the schedule of events.
Calendar of Events 2010
With the exception of the First Friday Art Walk, events will begin at 6:30 pm and there will be a $5.00 charge at the door.
January
1/8
Friends of Africa
Women of Senegal
with former Peace Corps volunteer
Desneige Hallbert
1/9
Family Festival at Portland Museum of Art
Spirit Masks with Dance & Drums
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Free Admission
For more details visit the Portland Museum of Art website.
1/16
New Moon Ritual
At Forest Circles in Topsham
with Chief Oscar Mokeme
For more details visit the Forest Circles website.
1/29
Spirit Mask of the Month
with Chief Oscar Mokeme
6:30 p.m., $5.00 donation
February
2/5
First Friday Art Walk
at the Museum
2/6
Ethiopian Culture Day
Making Art Together
11 a.m. to noon
Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
$10.00 admission
2/12
African Film Night
The Amazing Grace
The creation of Nigerian director/writer/producer Jeta Amata, the film provides a refreshing and creative African perspective on the familiar "Amazing Grace" theme. Nigerian actors Joke Silva, Mbong Odungide, and Fred Amata (brother of the director) portray Africans who are captured and wrested away from their homeland by slave traders.
6:30 p.m., $5.00 donation
2/13
Maskmaking for Families
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
$10.00/family
2/18-19
Contract - A Cape Verde Film
with filmmaker Guenny K. Pires
Contract tells the compelling story of two African countries (Cape Verde, São Tome and Príncipe) forever linked by a history of poverty and slavery, and two people forever linked by the unbreakable bonds of family and love.
Contract premiers at the 18th annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival in Los Angeles, Feb, 2010.
6:30 p.m., $5.00 donation
2/26
Mask of the Month
"Spirit of Light: Working with Your Inner Light"
6:30 p.m., $5.00 donation
March
3/5
First Friday Art Walk
at the Museum
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
3/13
Ethiopian Culture Day
Making Art Together
11 a.m. to noon
$10.00/family
3/18
3rd Thursdays
Social get-together and networking for Black professionals
(Please bring something to share)
3/19
Friends of Africa
Zimbabwe Today
Round Table discussion on Zimbabwe and its current political, economic situation and prospects for the country's future under the Southern Africa Development Community-sponsored Global Political Agreement.
Guest speaker: Tom Morgan
Tom has 10 years experience working in Africa with the Peace Corps in Nigeria, Malawi and Nigeria, with Africare in Ghana and, most recently, with the Catholic Relief Services in Zimbabwe.
6:30 p.m., $5.00 donation
3/20-21
Exclusive sale on African Crafts!
Over 150 items from the museum store will be available at reduced prices
12 noon to 5 p.m.
3/26
Mask of the Month
"Renewal, and Letting Go of the Past"
6:30 p.m., $5.00 donation
April
4/11
Ebune Spring Festival & Parade
Starts at noon from Maine College of Art, 522 Congress St.
May
5/7
First Friday Art Walk
"Earth Mothers": Artwork by Segun Fayemi
at the Museum
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
5/14
The Artist's Story
Reception for Nigerian artist Segun Fayemi
$5.00 donation
5/15
5/22-23
Cape Verde Island Cultural Weekend
Discussions, art exhibitions, film showing, food, and wine tasting!
at the Museum
$10.00 donation
5/28
Mask of the Month
6:30 p.m. at the Museum
Participate in a very special Mask of the Month workshop and performance on "release and letting go". Renew your energy field!
Reservations are required: $30.00/person
June
6/4
First Friday Art Walk
at the Museum: Celebrating "The Earth Mothers"
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
6/19
"Mali"
A Family Story Time
with Master Drummer Lanssine Traore
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bring your own drum, or any other instrument
$10.00/person
