VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

On Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 5pm-9pm the Museum of Cultural Arts Houston (MOCAH) will host the first installation of a three part series titled, The Art of Culture, an evening designed to highlight the artistry, crafts, foods, culture and music of African American heritage.

The day will start with hands-on art workshops from 9am to 12pm that engages children and their families in the process of creating works of art and crafts. MOCAH co-founder and artist, Rhonda Radford Adams, will provide a health-based art presentation and activity through the Art’s Angels Healing Arts Program. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Imani School Youth Jazz Band. The cost for admission for the youth art workshops is $10 for the 1st child and $5 for each additional child in a family or group.

The evening event will begin at 5pm with a wine tasting of Branwar International’s South African Collection. The wine tasting will be followed by a “Gallery Talk”, lead by artists Ted Ellis and Toni Whitaker as well as two renowned art collectors, Lloyd Gite and Terrence Hobdy. The “Gallery Talk” will provide patrons and guests with insight into Houston’s broad and diverse artist’s community with an emphasis on collecting and investing in local artists.

Fifteen local and regional artists will have artworks artwork on display. Artists include: Michael Khalil Taylor; Robert Hodge; Lovie Olivia; Rhonda Radford-Adams; Gail Rogers; Anne Johnson; Donovan Casanave; Marvin Carter; Greg Castor; Toni Whitaker; Ted Ellis; Lenard Brown; Troy Julian; Prince Maduekwe; and Reginald Adams.

The exhibition will be enhanced with hor d’oeuvres by some of Houston’s top chefs including: Chef Tarsha of Crave Gourmet Bakery & Catered Café, Chef Bryan Warren of Warren’s Catering, and Chef Tara Robinson of Magnolia Rose, and sponsored by Bayway Lincoln Mercury. Live entertainment is sponsored by Bud Light and will be provided by Robert Smalls & Friends Jazz Band and by local musical talent Tony Henry. Suggested donation of $20.

All proceeds benefit MOCAH’s art services and programs. MOCAH is a 501c (3) non-profit corporation. For further information and to purchase tickets, visit www.mocah.org or call 713-224-ARTS (2787).