Greetings…In collaboration with Larchmere Arts, Kings & Queens of Art we have launched

“Black History Month Extended: 24 7 365”

Vince Robinson and I began our commemoration of the extension of Black History Month in March with two lectures by renowned cultural anthropologist Dr. Runoko Rashidi which was held at Larchmere Arts on March 11 and 12. Dr. Rashidi presented “Black Love: Eternal, Sacred and Divine” and “Black Kingdoms of the Ancient World.” Dr. Runoko Rashidi is an anthropologist and historian with a major focus on what he calls the Global African Presence—that is, Africans outside of Africa before and after enslavement. We would like to give a special shoutout to Cleveland City Councilmen Kevin Conwell and Blaine Griffin for affording us the opportunity to put on this event.

We will have monthly events around our theme “Black History Month Extended: 24 7 365.”

Look for Facebook posts. I am working on a website for Kings & Queens of Art.

I have been blessed and honored to meet Richard Pace and his beautiful daughter, Catherine Pace of Cumberland Development LLC. They have allowed Kings & Queens of Art temporary usage of their retail space at the Harbor Verandas, 1050 East 9^th Street. We are providing gallery space for the artists showcased in Black Local Artists of Cleveland Kuumba directory. Presently, we have ten artists’ work on display, and we will be rotating the work of artists every thirty days. Because this opportunity came expeditiously, we had to move accordingly and so we hung artwork in a week and had an opening reception on Friday, March 29. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday 12:30pm to 6:00pm. You may view and purchase artwork at those times or call me, Gwendolyn Garth (216.339.0571) for an appointment.

Of special note: The Black Local Artists of Cleveland Directory is now in the Cleveland Public Library and you will be able to purchase a copy beginning the week of April 1, on Amazon. So as to keep this issue in the “Collectors’ Edition” realm we will only provide a limited number (200) of books to be purchased. The second iteration is scheduled to come out in the fall of 2019.

Richard Pace has also agreed to let me use a space that he is developing on the lakefront to create a “Countywide Artists’ Party.” The space is located behind the Browns’ stadium, and was once used for the IngenuityFest. I am in the process now of putting together a diverse team to help with this endeavor. This is a diverse event open to all artists of Cuyahoga County no matter the art discipline.

And finally: Due to circumstances beyond my control I regret that I have to change the date and location of my Creative Fusion Project presentation. I will post on Facebook the new location and date of my presentation. Until…

Kings & Queens of Art

11017 Ashbury Road

Cleveland, Ohio 44106

kingsqueensofart@gmail.com

216.339.0571