past visual art workshops
Please note that Ms. Abney has given away the clothes and other items shown in the above photo.
Photo credit by Roxanne Richardson in 2015 Culture Coffee Too 2015 Please note that Ms. Abney has given away the clothes and other items shown in the above photo.
Potter's House 2016 |
Ms. Afrika Abney conducted several visual art workshops entitled: Kuumba Arts and Crafts Program (1995-1998) and Kuumba Expressions Visual Art Workshops (2015 and 2016). She created numerous workshop proposals to disseminate to prospective venues where Ms. Abney was interested in conducted the workshops.
Overview of the visual art workshops Visual art workshops were designed to serve youth between the ages of 6 through 12, including those with developmental disabilities. Participants were provided instruction in painting, using traditional and non-traditional materials, with the intent of enhancing their own natural artistic talent while expanding their fundamental information about compositional studies, light and shadow, and technique. Further, the workshop augments participants' overall education, particularly their communication skills. Additionally, participants were introduced to many renaissance artists. Some of them include Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Polluck and Lois M. Jones. However, during her workshops, Ms. Abney allowed several younger children to participate. Workshops took place in Washington, DC and held at a wide variety of venues. |
Kuumba Arts and Crafts Program (1995-1998)
|
Kuumba Arts and Crafts Program (1995-1998). D.C. Department of Recreation (Emery Recreation Center, Parkview Recreation Center, Hamilton Recreation Center and Upshur Recreation Center) from 1997 - 1998 and A - T Seban Mesut (1995- 1998). Sponsored by Ms. Afrika Abney and funded by the D.C. Commission of the Arts, Arts Education Grant Program
Ms. Afrika Abney conducted free fine arts workshop for children ages 7 - 10 which were being offered by the D.C. Department of Recreation (Emery Recreation Center, Parkview Recreation Center, Hamilton Recreation Center and Upshur Recreation Center) from 1997 - 1998 and A - T Seban Mesut (1995- 1998). She is an alumnus of the Corcoran School of the Arts. Ms. Abney taught students techniques of drawing, finger painting, sponge painting, abstract design, clay work, collage designing and monoprinting. Sponsored by Ms. Afrika Abney and funded by the D.C. Commission of the Arts, Arts Education Grant Program Goals:
D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities sponsored one of Ms. Abney's visual arts workshops which took place from 1995 - 1998. During that time, she was a college student. "First established in 1968, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) is an independent agency in the District of Columbia government that evaluates and initiates action on matters relating to the arts and humanities and encourages programs and the development of programs that promote progress in the arts and humanities. " The District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation The DC Department of Parks and Recreation allowed Ms. Abney to use several of their facilities to operate one of her visual art workshops for students from 1995 - 1998. "The District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation is an executive branch agency of the government of the District of Columbia in the United States." "At-Seban Mesut - At-Seban Mesut (School for the children of Ausar) was founded in 1982 by the Ausar Auset DC, under the leadership of Ur-Aua Hehi Metu Ra Enkamit At-Seban Mesut was established to provide children with African (Kamitic) centered spiritual education, while ensuring students met city and nation-wide curriculum standards. Providing education to youth from Pre-k-8th grade, At-Seban Mesut has graduated hundreds of students in the DC metropolitan area for over 25 years. " "Ur Aua (Paramount King) Hehimetu Ra Enkamit, has since 1975 been a member of the Washington D.C Traditional Area of Ausar Auset Society International. Ur Aua is responsible for overseeing the programs, projects and activities of AASI's member in DC, Maryland, Virginia, Bermuda and Toronto Ca. In DC that "self-help" philosophy, has under Ur Aua's leadership, manifested as the establishment of two schools, which spanned a period of 27 years, Senbeb natural foods, the oldest continually running black owned business of its kind, Senbeb Cafe serving vegan food for over 25 years, Suwale African Boutique operating over 20 years and The Oracle of Tehuti classes providing spiritual training in the Kamitic way of life for over 35 years. On African Culture. In Washington DC, Ur Aua has officially hosted Ghanaian Royalty in the US including, but not limited to Otumfou Opoku Ware II, Asantehene, Otumfou Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, Nana Akouko Sarpong, Omanhene of Agogo, Nana Okotor Kofi III, Omanhene of Nkonya, Barima Kwame Nkyi, Omanhene of Asin Manso, Nana Abena Serwaa, Queenmother of Agogo, Nana Serwaa Aygemanso, Queenmother Tepo, Nkonya and Naba Azumah Ndagu representative of Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, Bawku Naba. Ur Aua has traveled and led Tour Groups Internationally to the following: Ghana -1885, 1986, 1988, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010-2018 Benin - 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2010-2018, Ivory Coast 1985, Sierra Leone 2012, 2013, 2014, Guinea 2012, Gambia 2013, Nigeria 1992, Brazil -1993, 1994 Ur Aua has also coordinated the society's contribution to different infrastructural projects in Ghana, including, but not limited to the, donation of over $300,000 USD worth of medical and education equipment and supplies, 200,000 saplings for a Reforestation project in Agogo, over $10,000 USD to Otumfou's E ducation Fund, the donation of the 1st computer to Manhyia Palace, donation of computer equipment to computer training school in Agogo, donation of Computer equipment to Nkonya computer center, donation of Computers, calculators and textbooks, to Nkonya Secondary School, development and construction of a 3 year weaving and sewing training program, is currently in the construction phase of The Agogo Community Library, has contributed teaching equipment, materials and supplies to the Presbyterian Medical School in Agogo, has contributed medical equipment and supplies to the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital and health clinics in Nkonya and Atonkwa Elmina, has plans to support further development in the Agogo, Nkonya, Bawku and Assin Manso Traditional Areas and has given assistance to students in Agogo, Assin Manso, Bawku, Nkonya and other places. Ur Aua has a BA in African American Studies, Masters in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology all from Howard University and a Ph.D. in African Art and Culture from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi Ghana. In addition to serving as the representative of Shekhem Ur Shekhem Ra Un Nefer Amen I in Asante, Ur Aua has been enstooled in his own right as Nanai Kweku Yobba Oboapo I, the Abontendomhene of Nkonya Kingdom, enskinned as Naba Amalteng I, Chief of Development Affairs in the Kusaug Kingdom, Bawku Traditional Area and Naba Anongnerib, Development Chief of Upper Easterners in the Ashanti Region. Additionally, Ur Aua has been officially received and recognized in Asante, Fante, Akwapim, Nkonya, Bawku, and the Assin Manso areas of Ghana and in the Kingdom of Quidah, Benin. He currently has two books in print African Names, the Ancient Egyptian Keys to Unlocking Your Power and Destiny and Divine Kingship of Asante: A Model for Sustainable Development of Self and Community. He also serves as the US correspondent for The Royal Magazine published in Kumasi Ghana." |
Kuumba Expressions Visual Art Workshops (2015 and 2016)
"My grandkids had a wonderful time at the Kuumba Expressions Workshop. They were engaged the entire time. The workshop was therapeutic, relaxing (my grandson on a normal day cannot be still for 10 mins) and amazingly educational. Ms. Abney gave them Art History lessons as she had them to explore various styles of art. She pointed out similarities of the kids work with those of famous artists such as Romare Bearden, Pablo Picasso, Lee, Lois M. Jones, Elizabeth Catlette and others. She exposed them to lines, shapes, brushes. She is so talented and knowledgeable about her craft. The other children there also had a great time and they were all proud of their work. She even had them display their works in the Art Gallery where they discussed their pieces and thoughts behind their creativeness. My grandchildren want to be back again. Thank you Ms. Abney for bringing out the creativity in children who had no idea they have gifts of expression. "- Roxanne Richardson, January 31, 2015
"I thought the event went very well. It was organized and you kept the children engaged. " - Saundrell Stevens, Co Owner of Culture Coffee, January 31, 2015 "In 2016, we helped Ms. Afrika Abney present her art workshops entitled: Kuumba Expressions. She has demonstrated herself as a natural teacher and a talented professional artist. We at Esther Productions Inc. recommend her highly. " - Esther Productions, Inc |
Kuumba Expressions Visual Art Workshops (2015 and 2016).Culture Coffee on January 31, 2015 and Potter's House on May 16, 2016 and May 23, 2016. Sponsored by Culture Coffee, Potter's House and Esther Productions, Inc Art Enablers.
Ms. Abney conducted visual art workshops entitled: Kuumba Expressions that took place at Culture Coffee on January 31, 2015 and Potter's House on May 16, 2016 and May 23, 2016. They were sponsored by Culture Coffee, Potter's House and Esther Productions, Inc Art Enablers. Information about the workshops was sent via email and posted on social media. Additionally, flyers were circulated and created to promote the workshops. In 2015, she spoke with Ms. Saundrell Stevens about her interest in conducting a visual arts workshop at Culture Coffee. In 2016, Ms. Abney spoke with Mr. Tim Kumfner and Ms. Susanna Bean about conducting a visual arts workshop at Potter's House. Mission Kuumba Expressions is created by Ms. Afrika Abney and designed to continue the mission of offering services to a broader group of young people in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan region. The art workshops are available to various institutions including schools. The art workshops in the past helped young people have a stronger understanding and appreciation for the arts. These art workshops have also helped to improve their academic achievement. Visual art workshops were designed to serve youth between the ages of 6 through 12, including those with developmental disabilities. Participants were provided instruction in painting, using traditional and non-traditional materials, with the intent of enhancing their own natural artistic talent while expanding their fundamental information about compositional studies, light and shadow, and technique. Further, the workshop augments participants' overall education, particularly their communication skills. Additionally, participants were introduced to many renaissance artists. Some of them include Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Polluck and Lois M. Jones. However, during her workshops, Ms. Abney allowed several younger children to participate. Goals:
Culture Coffee Too was originally located on Kennedy Street NW. "We are a diverse coffee shop, art gallery, live performance venue, and event space, with a mission to bring delicious coffee, and diverse culture." Potter's House, DC "The Potter's House is a nonprofit bookstore, café, and event space in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC. " Esther Productions, Inc Art Enablers Esther Productions, Inc. is dedicated to using a variety of vehicles-traditional and nontraditional-to develop communities throughout the United States and Europe. It was created in 2004 by Jonetta Rose Barras, award-winning journalist and author of Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl? For more information about Esther Productions, Inc, please visit estherproductionsinc.com. "Esther Productions Inc Art Enablers believe the arts are critical to individual and communal development. They nurture the soul and stimulate the mind. They also can be key economic drivers, bringing material and spiritual wealth to suffering or underserved communities. Since its inception, Esther Productions Inc. has either produced or sponsored programs in the visual, literary and performing arts. Art Enablers workshops often are led by professional artists. Genre specific instruction is provided in an intimate environment. The goal is to create a new crop of talented artists who can revitalize select genres. The performances and special events Esther Productions Inc. sponsors are designed to expand the audience for the arts while building a continuing cadre of advocates and financial supporters. All programs are presented in partnership with other organizations and companies." This was one of the programs that Esther Productions Inc presented to the public in the past. |