Pitt's University Art Gallery to Feature "A Sense of Place: Contemporary African American Art"

PITTSBURGH-The issue of "place"-as conceptualized by six renowned African American artists-is featured in the art exhibition "A Sense of Place: Contemporary African American Art" at the University Art Gallery in Pitt's Frick Fine Arts Building, on Schenley Drive in Oakland, from Oct. 6 to Dec. 9.

The featured artists include Beverly Buchanan, Willie Cole, Whitfield Lovell, Betye Saar, Renee Stout, and Deborah Willis. They use space, time, memory, and their own experiences to address the subject in a personal way, and in ways that embrace the larger community.

An opening lecture by artist Deborah Willis will take place at 5 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium; it will be followed by a reception. Other scheduled events include lectures, artist talks, a musical performance, and a poetry slam; all are free and open to the public.

The schedule is as follows:

Oct. 6 Deborah Willis, featured artist, professor of photography and imaging, New York University School of the Arts

5 p.m., Frick Fine Arts Auditorium

Reception and music presented by the Afro American Music Institute

6-8 p.m.

Oct. 8 "The Art of Renee Stout"

Marica Jackson, painter and ceramicist, president, Women of Visions Inc.

12:45 p.m., University Art Gallery

Oct. 10 Urban League Young Professionals meeting

Open to the public

6-9 p.m., University Art Gallery

Oct. 18 J. David Summers, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Art History, University of Virginia, and author of Real Spaces (Phaidon, 2003)

5 p.m., University Art Gallery

Oct. 22 "The Art of Beverly Buchanan"

Mary Martin, printmaker, Women of Visions Inc.

2 p.m., University Art Gallery

Oct. 29 "The Art of Deborah Willis"

Joyce Baucum, photographer, Women of Visions Inc.

Tina Williams Brewer, fiber artist, Women of Visions Inc.

2 p.m., University Art Gallery

Nov 3 Willie Cole, featured artist

4 p.m., Frick Fine Arts Auditorium

Nov. 5 "The Art of Betye Saar"

Elizabeth Asche Douglas, mixed-media artist, Women of Visions Inc.

2 p.m., University Art Gallery

Nov. 12 "The Art of Willie Cole"

Vanessa German, mixed-media artist, Women of Visions Inc.

2 p.m., University Art Gallery

Nov. 20 "The Art of Whitfield Lovell"

Tenanche Golden, mixed-media and installation artist, Women of Visions Inc.

Anna Cunningham, fiber artist, Women of Visions Inc.

2 p.m., University Art Gallery

Dec. 9 Poetry Slam and Closing Reception

Vanessa German, master of ceremonies

5:30-8 p.m., University Art Gallery

For more information, call 412-648-2423 or visit http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/uag.

"A Sense of Place: Contemporary African American Art" is cosponsored by Pitt's African American Arts Project, Center for Minority Health, Office of Affirmative Action, Office of Public Affairs, and PITT ARTS, as well as the Multicultural Arts Initiative, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Women of Visions Inc.

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9/30/05/tmw