West Valley show features work of Black artists
In celebration of Black History Month, West Valley Arts Council will host an art exhibition showcasing the work of metro Phoenix African American artists.
“Imprint: African Americans in the Arts” opens Jan. 22 and includes the artwork of sculptors Joe Willie Smith and Gedion Nyanhongo, photographer Alvin Galloway, painters Phalen Booker, Wanda King and John Neville and owner of Onyx Art Gallery Kathi Williams.
“We felt this was important because, throughout history, the most impressionable and long-lasting things in the arts have been started, implemented and supported by African Americans,” West Valley Arts Council president and CEO Sandra Bassett said. “We also know that a lot of that has expanded to be more culturally inclusive, and not just reserved for those of color, but inclusive to all Americans to participate in.”
There will be ongoing programs through February
An opening reception will be held from 4-7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 22 at Arts HQ Gallery, 16126 N. Civic Center Plaza in Surprise. There will be limited capacity so registration is required. During the event, there will be a live painting demonstration by Phalen Booker and musical performances.
Visit westvalleyarts.org for registration and more information.
In addition to the exhibition, there will be weekly performances, workshops, lectures, and classes that will take place at the West Valley Arts HQ Gallery, as well as around the west valley.
“We want to be the place where the dialogue and the conversation can start and people can also get a deeper respect and appreciation for all things America and also all things that are related to the African American culture. We’re doing that through the arts,” Bassett said.
“There are lessons to be learned, things to be shared, relationships to be created and nurtured where the dialogue can help to decrease the misunderstandings and misconceptions. It’s amazing how the arts can create a dialogue that can change things in the world.”
CEO Sandra Bassett wins Legend Award
Bassett was recently awarded the 2020 Economic Empowerment Legend Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.
The award was presented by the Phoenix chapter of the organization. Other honorees include Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, Arizona State University vice president of cultural affairs and executive director of ASU Gammage; LaWanda Mann, nurse practitioner at Family Tree Health Care in Phoenix
and renowned American poet Nikki Giovanni.
Bassett took the helm of West Valley Arts in April, in the midst of a global pandemic. She and her team produced dozens of virtual performances and art videos in English and Spanish over the past year.
Bassett said the videos helped artists to continue working through the pandemic and provided educational opportunities for Valley schools.
“The arts bring an increased level of economic viability to every single community in which it participates. It trickles down not just from the artists, but to the overall economy in so many different ways,” Bassett said.
“I’m proud to receive this award acknowledging not just what I’ve been able to do, but those before me, with me, and coming after me to continue to empower our economy economically by supporting the arts.”