Harlem Fine Arts Show expands into new home

By BRENIKA BANKS Special to the AmNews

The Harlem Fine Arts Show’s 15th anniversary, presented by Lexus of Manhattan, returned on Friday, Feb. 24, in person for the first time since 2020. The traveling art show celebrated the country’s largest African Diasporic art show, which provides a space for African and Caribbean descendants’ artworks. The show’s 15th-year celebration marked a major change of location: This year’s festivities were held at The Glasshouse near Hudson Yard in Midtown NYC.

The show was Midtown Manhattan’s first time hosting a large African Diasporic art show owned and operated by multicultural individuals. The three-day event featured 100 artists and independent galleries with an expected turnout of 15,000 guests.

Glasshouse previously hosted events for IBM, TikTok, Goldman Sachs, and more. Jack Guttman, owner of The Glasshouse, welcomed the opportunity for a first-time art show event after it was suggested by Lexus, which is located in the same building.

“Lexus recommended [the show] because they knew it was a great site for the event,” said Guttman on opening day. “Once they came to us about hosting, we said yes.”

He complimented the art show’s national appeal and fine artworks. “It’s very nice; the ceramics and a lot of the paintings are fabulous,” said Guttman.

Dion Clarke, founder of the Harlem Fine Arts Show, loved the benefits of the new location. “This is bringing diversity into New York City, bringing uptown to downtown,” Clarke said. He emphasized the importance of the world for a new journey. “I love every imprint that we left in Harlem, but I’m loving the imprint we’re establishing in New York City,” he said. ger and [Guttman] becomes stronger by empowering the African American community to be a part of Glasshouse,” said Clarke. experiencing African Diasporic art beyond Harlem. “It’s a great way to impact cultural nutrition and cultural understanding, and to show the great way our artists actually relate to the world.”

Kailee Finn. The illustrator major at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City creates works that focus on social commentary and political art centered around the Black community.

One of Finn’s powerful drawings is her recreation of Norman Rockwell’s famous painting “Going and Coming.” Her piece highlights juvenile incarceration and excessive sentencing against the Black community. Her picture, drawn when she was only 16, shows young Black men on a bus going to prison and coming out as older Black men. Finn uses art to convey her frustrations about how society mistreats Black people. “My America is not ideal,” said Finn.

Another piece she showcased was a two-part drawing representing Black maternal mortality. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are four times more likely to die giving birth in the United States than white women. According to the CDC, the number is even higher in New York City, where Black women are 12 times more likely to die giving birth.

Clarke said the art show outgrew its roots in Harlem and was ready

Building a partnership with Guttman was key for Clarke to bring the art show into its new home. Financing, diversity, and inclusion components made the Harlem Fine Arts Show at The Glasshouse beneficial for everyone involved. “We become stron-

A major part of empowering the African American community is welcoming new artists who are passionate about the injustices experienced by African descendants in the United States. The very first art display seen as guests arrived at the art event was by newcomer

One of Finn’s Black maternal mortality drawings represents foreshadowing her own death. Her older version of herself breaks the fourth wall as her image looks at the audience from a hospital bed, knowing her unfair death is near. “This can happen to any Black woman,” said Finn. “It’s not a class thing or money thing; it’s an institutionalized problem.”

In the second drawing, Finn included an alternative representation of herself as older while having a natural birth with midwives. Black midwives were crucial to aiding Black women during childbirth before they were eventually demonized and criminalized.

Although Finn is pursuing an arts degree, she is avid about remaining well versed on subjects that pertain to Black history and Black social issues. “My inspirations are people like Martin Luther King Jr. and Angela Davis, because that’s what fuels this art and keeps me educated,” said Finn.

She described her first year at the Harlem Fine Arts show as a shocking yet humble experience. “It’s almost unbelievable that I’m at this level and in this space with other Black artists,” said Finn. She is grateful for all the positive feedback.

“She is phenomenal,” said Helena Lewis about Finn. “She brings a whole new young flavor of her artwork and her purpose for it.” The long-time supporter of the Harlem Fine Arts Show and member of the David I. Martin Music Guild was inspired to purchase a painting years ago. She chose one showing a blue-haired woman holding a violin made by Michael Escoffery. “I love music and because of my love for music, I was drawn to it,” said Lewis. “It was perfect for me to put up my home.” She categorized artworks by Escoffery as “welcoming” because of the warm colors he uses.

Escoffery has enjoyed participating in the art show every year since its 2009 beginning. He appreciates the show because it gives him the opportunity to meet art collectors, mingle with guests, and reconnect with customers like Lewis. As an oil painter, Escoffery uses the long drying time of oil paint to design three to four paintings in one setting. Because of this, he likes to create diptych and triptych paintings. The Jamaican artist sees colors in unique ways based on his roots. The inspiration for his art comes from bright colors that are reminiscent of his childhood growing up in Kingston, Jamaica. “Caribbean colors are greens and they’re very vibrant,” said Escoffery.

Escoffery prefers guests who are willing to buy his pieces, but recommends only purchasing art that resonates with them. “You have to have it on your wall, so if you don’t like it, don’t buy it,” said Escoffery. Both Escoffery and

Lewis love the new home of the art show at Glasshouse. They cited the bigger space and better lighting as upgrades compared to the show’s older spaces.

Lewis added her fondness in seeing African descendants supporting one another by purchasing artworks. “We can only thrive if we support each other,” said Lewis.

The Harlem Fine Arts Show is an excellent way for artists to gain support and make connections. Luca (styled as Lv<^), a first-time artist at the show, said his favorite part about being an artist is connections. “I love to connect with people,” said Luca. The Nicaraguan and Puerto Rican artist said creating and enjoying art makes him feel like he lives in multiverses. He defined his friendly interactions with the people he met at the show as “New Yorkers you know from your neighborhood.”

“Distracted Faces,” the first art piece Luca ever created, is a painting inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat’s neo-expressionism, mixed with cubism style art. It was one of the first ones seen by guests during the art show. He is multitalented, creating artworks that are also abstract and surrealistic. He struggled with anxiety for two years before creating his first painting. “I didn’t want to touch the canvas and then say, ‘Damn, I don’t love it,’” said Luca. He was finally inspired to paint after moving back to NYC in November 2020. He credits Psilocybin mushrooms for helping him reduce anxiety.

“I think everyone should try mushrooms at least once in their life,” said Luca. He believes expe- riencing mushrooms opened his mind to a deeper level of thinking and creating. His “Distracted Faces” painting represents what it’s like to be continuously judged while learning how to respond in a collective manner.

“His mouth is blue, but his teeth are gold and that’s his value,” said Luca in describing his work. “His words are of value in the way he responds, and his third eye is on his chin because when you speak your ideas into existence, it’s coming from that territory.” He looks forward to being a part of the art show for years to come.

The Harlem Fine Arts Show will travel to other cities and return to New York City in February 2024.

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/ pregnancy-mortality-surveillance-system.htm?CDC_AA_ refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww. cdc.gov%2Freproductivehealth%2Fmaternalinfanthealth%2Fpr egnancy-mortality-surveillance-s ystem.htm.

Horoscopes By Knowyournumb3rs

By

SUPREME

Goddess Kya

March 2, 2023—March 8, 2023

Words have replaced reality. Always remember where you come from to recognize where you are heading. It takes courage to change the course to get out of your comfortability and ascend to a higher level. Allow the full moon at 16-degree Virgo install some hard-knocks lessons from back in the day of how to eat to live. Back then, folks prepared meals on the table for breakfast and suppertime, and grew their foods. Nowadays it’s hot and ready being served and delivered, making no time for family bonding or discussion. A change in the way we live, eat, bank, communicate, and—most important—treat each other with morals, respect, values like the old days. A new way of life is rebirthing and you can also feel the change from within on the outside. “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them—that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” — Lao Tzu

March is a month of ending, liberation fulfillment, public appearance, humanitarian work, learning from the trials and errors and experiences over the last 15 years of Pluto in Capricorn. Pluto in Capricorn takes a dip out of your sign on March 23, giving you a mini break till June 11, 2023. In the mist of the transfer energy of uploads, pay close attention to the facts, details, instructions, assignments, and invaluable lesson shown to you. This cycle week is a higher inner standing of something much greater to connect to the heart, soul, spirit, body, and mind. March 5, 38 minutes after 10 p.m. till 9 a.m. 15 minutes before 10 a.m., it’s about marrying the opposition to become whole. Surrender or sacrifice for the greater good.

The flexibility and adaptability needed to change the course of your life. In life, just as we drive, there are sharp turns, bends, curves, narrow paths when you travel in the mountains. These experiences assist in your elevation of growth within you and gaining wisdom. March is a fast-pace cycle for you to make some type of change in your lifestyle that will push you to progress on the journey forward. It already has been building up and toward the end of the month you need to make a decision about something that’s been sparking a flame from within. Beginning on March 8, 45 minutes before 9 a.m., certain situations require action with footwork.

March is going to sweep the rug from under your feet and make you stand and fish for your own. Although it’s your season and the sun is beaming on the warm water you travel through boundaries, it comes with being honest and straightforward with people and with self. This cycle is similar when your great-grandmother put you in check to better prepare you for life’s turn of events. In March, know thyself and continue your agenda as the support you used to get is canceling their subscription on you. Days leading up to the March 10, it’s time to take matters in your own hands and build with what’s in your possession.

When you are on new mission, it begins with giving birth to a new train of thought and operating in a different way. Most times on the journey, it’s you until you start to do the work to build it past a certain phase. An unexplainable event will lead you to the right people, place, things, items for the alignment of crossing paths. In retrospect, look at the details and say what you feel without any contradictions. It’s better to tell the truth than a lie. March 3 till 30 minutes to 11 p.m., the 411 sits in like a ripple effect that keeps on expanding to give shape and form.

March is a mystical, strange, cloak kind of month that comes with an inner standing of self-recognition of the gifts you possess and discovering the truth about something. “Why”will be the question you ask and as you do your research, the answer will come. Solitude, connecting with nature, meditation, going swimming, drinking water will assist and study will aid in the rejuvenation process this month for next month. The work you are developing is a piece of what you are creating content for this year and for the next five years to come. It will all make sense later as each assignment has its process for building a lasting foundation. March 5 till 44 minutes after 9 a.m., a silent revelation will present itself to you. Question everything when you don’t know.

This is a slingshot kind of week when what you are building will support you financially, spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally, and soulfully. You are being guided and given privy information to resolve a certain circumstance. This is not your typical kind of week—in fact, it’s a straight spiritual alignment that the physical reality has no explanation for. Listen carefully and perform the duties you laid out for yourself. In the days leading up to March 8, it’s about the commitment to see results.

After a process of initiation of new beginning, it’s time to apply the footwork, time, effort, and sweat, and make the investment without overwhelming yourself. A cycle to spiritually develop your inner spirit growth, environment, to be more conscious of your actions. It’s time to allow your light to shine. You have done enough talking and it’s time to show up for yourself. It’s okay to learn a few new lessons and travel through the experiences to gain the wisdom due to it’s all part of the journey of life. March 2, you are evolving and you know it’s time to cut your losses for a fresh start.

Once you plant the seed, you need the water and the sunlight for growth and durability. This is a slow germination process where the inner cells are gathering the support they need to sprout and lean toward the sun like a sunflower. To know what you need, there is an examination and evaluation that will take place. Sometimes the process is as easy as being still, so still that you feel the winds surrounding you to listen to the conversation like a record playing. March 3 till March 5, 38 minutes past 10 p.m., the tools and resources come together after a journey of surveying to fill in the blank.

March is a month of going back to school in some shape or form or signing up to do community volunteer work. The topic of partnerships will come up for you or reconstructing how you operate the partnership roles. A hefty duty month with responsibilities swinging the door at you all at once and the main recipe is balance, including rest your body. Take a cat nap from time to time. A month to assist with your elders or work with your elders because your help is greatly appreciated. March 5 till 15 minutes before 10 a.m., the benefit of your labor arrives.

What’s the vision and the dream that’s prompting you to go into a new direction within your profession? “Why” will frequently visit you as you have questions that need answers you are not clear about. When you apply your mind to the vision, to start at least jot down the outline. You are in the process of developing a new program for yourself. Do your research and continue to create the outcome of your vision in your mind. Take a break for a nature walk and visit near a body of water for clarity. In the days leading up to March 8, it’s important to make your dreams a reality—it’s one reason why we have dreams. Our dreams help guide us on our path.

It’s time to make boss moves and only you know the moves you need make happen. It’s a new process that will free up time, space, for you do something you’ve never done before. Be daring. You are the only one who can stop your growth. March is the month you walk into the unknown, starting a whole new agenda with new terms, conditions, rights, and amenities. Make the first move as the leader you are and use the resources in your environment. March 2, it’s time to be 100% real with self and walk the walk to talk the talk.

This is a sink or swim kind of month. What’s it going to be? You have a new agenda you are rolling out with. It’s easy to say what you are going to do. Applying the words to action means business. Either way, you have to stand on your own against any opposition. Always remember that opposite means to connect with both ends to operate in the highest form to see results. Set the tone as you build the foundation with the team in positions to secure the safety of everyone’s future. March 3 through March 5, the best investment is investing in you.