Sankofa Represented by Vivant Art Collection at 24th Annual Philadelphia International Art Expo

Sankofa Studio is proud to announce that our mixed media doll art will be represented by Vivant Art Collection at the 24th Annual Philadelphia International Art Expo this weekend.

October Gallery brings it's 24th Annual Philadelphia International Art Expo The Nation's largest African American Art Expo to the Liacouras Center. The Art Expo features over 200 artists from 45 states and 6 countries, which includes visual artists, poets, writers, musicians etc...

This year's show also features a concert within the Gallery, Love Train, the sound of Philadelphia featuring the O'Jay's*

October Gallery Philadelphia International Art Expo
November 13-15th 2009
Temple University - Liacouras Center
10-10 Fri and Sat 10 - 7 Sun
More Information: Check out October Gallery or
Buy tickets here

Connecting People With Art- My Book Review

I have been reading with great interest Evelyn and Mercer Redcross's historical account of building their gallery and awareness of African-American art in their book "Connecting People With Art: Contemporary African-American Art." Both Evelyn and Mercer run October Gallery in Philadelphia, PA. This book provides an overview of their humble beginnings creating one of the most revered African American galleries in the United States.

What is great about this book is that it not only chronicles their journey as gallery owners and keepers of contemporary African-American art, but there are some great interviews and snippets from art patrons, gallery owners and artists alike.

Among the noted photographers, painters, sculptors, and other fine artists, their inclusion of African-American doll artists throughout the book and their contributions to contemporary African-American art is very impressive. They include noted doll artists: Cathy Milby (Philadelphia, PA), Daisy Carr (Mitchellville, MD), Tonia Kim Mitchell (Fayetteville, GA), Lorrie Payne-Stewart (Philadelphia, PA), Paula Whaley (Baltimore, MD), Sharon Tucker (Philadelphia, PA), and Particia Coleman-Cobb (Duluth, GA).

I appreciate publications and galleries who consider African American dollmaking not just folk or craft art but a legitimate contribution to the African American art scene. Kudos to October Gallery (www.octobergallery.com)!