AMHERST, N.S. - The Cumberland County Museum and Archives is welcoming people to share in a 20 Year Retrospective including an exhibit and a publication, during the month of February.
Darlene Strong, founder of the Cumberland County Black Artisans Network in part with Dianne Meldrum stated, “Twenty years ago the art world was evolving around us. A new group of 19 visual black artisans, authors, crafters and musicians emerged to create the Cumberland County Black Artisans Network. The void was the mother of invention, transforming the Black community into a vibrant arts environment.”
From inception, the artisans became a strong entity, creating new bodies of work, recording music, writing publications, opening studios and establishing new business enterprises, all of which ultimately fulfilled its’ initial purpose.
Set apart in art and culture, these artisans created some of the finest pieces of work, unique in design, delivery and of good quality. The artwork shows the contemporary meeting the historical, with music, visual arts, literature and crafts.
Over the past 20 years work has been disseminated far and wide by artisans skilled in their respective genre to develop cutting edge exhibits, fibre arts products, dramas and music.
Work has been showcased at venues such as local schools, museums, libraries, ACTS trade show, health care facilities, Carabana GTA, the Confederation Centre of the Arts, the Freedom Festival, Nova Scotia Tourism and Culture, the Town Of Amherst, Nova Scotia Federation for Tourism, Sir Albert J Smith Manor and St. Vincent to name a few.
As part of African Heritage Month, the Cumberland County Museum and Archives will be hosting an Art exhibit by Strong.
This artwork is a tribute to Vincent Van Gogh and his work created over a ten year period when he was 27 to 37 years of age.
Nine pieces of his art that were adapted by Strong will be on display at the museum.
The opening of this display will be Friday, Fe. 1 beginning at 2 p.m. and again on Saturday Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Strong said, “The internet has assisted artisans to bring a greater understanding of the arts to the forefront while taking their rightful place in society, promoting social justice and stimulating dialogue.”
Empowering youth to access opportunities that present themselves in designing, developing, learning and sharing the gift of art, music and literature will always be a constant agent of change if we allow it to. Sharing our work in the public forums is exciting and rewarding.
The 20 Year Retrospective Publication will be showcased at the Cumberland County Museum and Archives on Heritage Day weekend.
From Friday, Feb. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Heritage Day Monday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the artwork will continue to be on display at the museum.
For further information regarding the museum, the exhibit and the launching of the publication please contact Lisa Emery at 902-664-7223 or at [email protected].
Emery states “that even though the museum is open by appointment only during the winter we would be happy to host meetings, events and displays throughout the year. Typically, the weekends work best; however, just make contact and we will get the logistics sorted out.”
