Art Africa Miami Arts Fair Breathes Life into Former Clyde Killens Pool Hall During Art Basel Miami
MIAMI – It’s no secret that the landscape of Historic Overtown is dramatically changing and reclaiming the glory of its former self by reemerging as a cultural beacon within South Florida.
At the 6th Annual Art Africa Miami Arts Fair(AAMAF), taking place December 1-4, 2016, the newly renovated Clyde Killens Pool Hall located at 920 NW 2nd Ave in Historic, Overtown, will make its debut during Art Basel Miami.
This venue is significant in that it celebrates the legacy of Clyde Killens, a cultural leader of Overtown in its heyday.
Sponsored by the Southeast Overtown Parkwest Community Redevelopment Agency and produced by the Urban Collective team, AAMAF continues to offer arts and culture enthusiasts a menu of activities that include; a powerful and storied art exhibit, creative and community driven conversations, and a pop-up youth art interactive lab.
In its 6th year, AAMAF continues to play a leadership role in transforming this heritage neighborhood once known as the “Harlem of the South”. This year’s theme “AFROTOPIA: Aesthetics and the Politics of Representation” seeks to present modules that address Black visual and performing expressions and the questions of aesthetic sovereignty, the role of Black culture in community empowerment, the nexus of knowledge and economic liberation and the role of artists in resistance to oppression.
Register and learn more at www.artafricamiamiamifair.com.
“Art Africa Miami Arts Fair continues to provide artists the platform to display their work in one of Miami’s oldest Black communities—Overtown. This year’s event is being held at the recently renovated Clyde Killen’s Pool Hall, which provides us the opportunity to celebrate our past and showcase the progress of our community. Events like this will continue to remind its participants of the rich history of Blacks in Miami”, stated Chairman Keon Hardemon of District 5.
AAMAF 2016 pays homage to the entertainment impresario Clyde Killens, who hosted acts like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Sam Cooke, and Aretha Franklin at the famed Sir John Hotel, the Harlem Square, and other clubs back in the 1950s and early 60s.
At the time, segregation laws prohibited artists, hired to perform in Miami Beach from staying there. They stayed in Overtown, where black life, culture and businesses thrived until its demise when the city constructed the I-395 causeway straight through the neighborhood.
“The Urban Collective takes great pride in knowing we have grown an annual premier art fair that showcases some of the most prestigious talent in both local and global contemporary art from the African Diaspora in the Historic Overtown community. It is our mission to continue to foster the growth of this heritage neighborhood as a creative hub for the world.” says Neil Hall, Visionary Founder of Art Africa Miami Arts Fair.
“The CRA’s support of Art Africa Miami is essential to establishing a firm foundation for this new wave of cultural expression. The roots of Miami’s creative culture traces back to Overtown. Art Africa Miami will continue to grow and be a force that will rival with any other exhibitions during Art Basel Miami,” stated Clarence E. Woods, CRA Executive Director.
The impressive list of artists who will join this exhibition includes; Nakazzi Hutchinson, Turgo Bastien, Maximo Caminero, Miles Regis, Carl Craig, Ivan Gross, Doba Afolabi, Freddy Osorio, Rafael Lopez Ramos, Anthony Burks, Tessa Mars, Jean Sebastien, Dan Arlan, Philippe Dodard, Solomon Adufah, Philippe Curtis, Najee Dorsey, Noel Theard, Guy Syllian, Christian Nicole and Robert McKnight to name a few.
Early registration only is Free. $10 at the door. $25 multi-day pass at the door. Register here
