Legendary and futurist artworks debut at African American culture center
SAN FRANCISCO, California (July 31, 2021) – The African American Art & Culture Complex (AAACC) presents two new works by local artists beginning today: “San Francisco African American Senior Narrative Quilt Project,” a quilt project that explores how colonialism affects the African diaspora, and “Black Art from the Edge of the Universe,” a visual arts exhibit that transports viewers to a universe in which anything is possible.
The event and exhibits are free, open to the public, and family-friendly. Both indoors and outdoors, attendees are asked to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines including wearing facial masks and practicing social distancing.
EVENT: “San Francisco African American Senior Narrative Quilt Project” and Music Performance
Saturday, July 31, 2021 (one day only)
2-5 p.m.
AAACC, Open Air Gallery, 762 Fulton St., San Francisco Quilt by artist William Rhodes in collaboration with iconic artist Emory Douglas and mixed-mediavartist Michael Ross. “Within the African American diaspora, quilting has been and continues to be a low-to-high art, projecting into the future the crucial narratives of the times, blood-stitched into perpetuity,” said Rhodes. The artists explore the threatened status of the African diaspora and the forms of colonialism that have sought to gentrify spaces and minds within the framework of a quadrilinear quilt. The quilts’ center panels are Douglas’ artwork from his time as the former Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party. This historical record interjects the urgency of personal independence and solidarity amongst the world’s oppressed. Rhodes provides a folk history with “portraiture of a community of survivors in San Francisco, slowly disappearing with the inevitability of time and political policy.”
The artists’ presentation will be followed by an inspirational presentation and music performance by Dr. Suga-T Stevens, founder of Sprinkle Me Social Enterprise and the Work it Well Project that provides training and support to keep people from “falling through the cracks” by being healthy, economically empowered and safe. This event is presented in partnership with the San Francisco
Parks Alliance and Shine On SF.
EXHIBITION: “Black Art from the Edge of the Universe”
Through August 26, 2021
By appointment Tuesdays-Fridays Noon to 6 p.m., Saturdays Noon to 5 p.m.
AAACC, Sargent Johnson Gallery, 762 Fulton St., San Francisco
Drawings, paintings and digital collage by artist Ajuan Mance, who is also a professor of English and Ethnic Studies at Mills College. About the exhibit, she said, “In every piece I create, my goal is to enchant and transport viewers beyond what we’ve been taught about the Black past, the Black present, and Black futures. I use bright colors and clean, simple lines to depict Black People and experiences beyond the limits of space, time and the ordinary.”
“We are proud to host William Rhodes and the legendary Emory Douglas as they share revolutionary imagery on one of the oldest art forms of our culture,” said Melorra Green, who along with her twin sister, Melonie, are AAACC’s co-executive directors. “What I love about the quilt project is that it allows us an opportunity to pause and focus, celebrate and elevate our amazing seniors and the
stories about our community as Black people living, thriving, loving and creating in San Francisco.”
The new gallery exhibit is part of AAACC’s initiative to showcase the incorporation of technology into the arts. Located in San Francisco’s historic Fillmore/Western Addition neighborhood, the African American Art & Culture Complex (AAACC) presents, offers and celebrates Black art, artists and culture through educational, innovative, enriching and empowering programs and services that inspire and uplift the community. AAACC is one of seven neighborhood cultural centers supported by the San Francisco
Arts Commission.
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