Arts Events Across West Valley to Honor Black History Month
West Valley Arts Council will present a series of events as part of the 2019 Vision & Sound: An African American Experience.
Arts events celebrating African American artists during Black History month can be found across the West Valley from Jan. 16-March 1.
Vision and Sound is the creation of Norma and Michael Cunningham, Goodyear residents, who saw a need for more African American Art representation in the West Valley. Four years ago, they brought their idea to Bernadette Carroll, Executive Director of the West Valley Arts Council and a partnership was formed. Over the past four years the Vision and Sound exhibit has grown significantly to include multiple exhibits, lectures and music events in libraries and arts venues across the West Valley.
The 2019 events, with major support from the Arizona Community Foundation, include visual arts exhibits by current and past Vision and Sound artists in the Arts HQ Gallery, West Valley Art Museum, Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, and in the Goodyear Library. Artist lectures and author readings featuring key artists will take place in libraries in Avondale, Buckeye, Litchfield Park, Glendale, Goodyear, Peoria, Surprise and Tolleson.
“We are proud to partner for our fourth year with Vision and Sound: An African American Experience promoting local and nationally known African American artists, musicians and authors to our West Valley cities. We want to share our appreciation of their talent with the greater community and encourage everyone to experience and support our local events” said WVAC Executive Director Bernadette Carroll.
Kicking off this celebration of African American culture will be a special concert on Jan. 16 at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts featuring Spooky Kool and Gabriel Bey. Spooky Kool is known for their “head boppin’” great jazz sound that will get the audience moving. Tickets available through the PCPA box office at tickets.theaterworks.org or by calling 623-8815-7930.
The primary exhibit for Vision and Sound: An African American Experience will be on display at the West Valley Arts Council’s Arts HQ Gallery from Feb. 1- 28 with a meet the artist’s reception on Feb. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. Participating 2019 Artists at the Arts HQ include Patricia Bohannon, Rhonda Shakur, Richard Booker, Simone Smyer and Faith Jackson.
Vision and Sound: An African American Experience will finish with a dance party, “Soul Train Night,” a fundraiser for the West Valley Arts Council on March 1 from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $11.95 and available for purchase by calling the Arts HQ Gallery at 623-584-2626.
