Africa International House Hosts Unique Weekend Only Exhibit

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Stephen "BlackButterfly" Carter, former Director of Marketing for the DuSable Museum of African American History, has returned from the public sector of community service to the art arena he first embraced back in the ‘90s when he came under the mentorship of both Dr. Margaret Goss Burroughs, DuSable's late founder and DuSable's late curator, Ramon Price.
Stephen "BlackButterfly" Carter, former Director of Marketing for the DuSable Museum of African American History, has returned from the public sector of community service to the art arena he first embraced back in the ‘90s when he came under the mentorship of both Dr. Margaret Goss Burroughs, DuSable's late founder and DuSable's late curator, Ramon Price.

Something for the art and culture lovers to consider is Stephen “BlackButterfly” Carter’s, one weekend only – exhibition of “DESIDERATA Spring/Summer 2014 entitled: “The Roads Not Taken –The Roads Now Taken” Friday, June 20, at the Africa International House Center for Contemporary African Art and Culture, (AIH), 6200 S. Drexel Ave.

Africa International House USA, Inc., is a not for profit organization dedicated to educating all people to the individual works and collective contributions of African cultures. It’s flagship annual event, the African Festival of the Arts is a four-day celebration of the art, culture, heritage and global contributions of African descended people held in Chicago’s historic, Washington Park during the end of summer, Labor Day, holiday weekend (August 29-Sept. 1, 2014).

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Al Hawkins, a former advertising executive with Foote, Cone and Belding, is now a master of acrylics and mixed media and one of the featured artists of the Africa International House one weekend only, art exhibit, “DESIDERATA Spring/Summer 2014 entitled: “The Roads Not Taken –The Roads Now Taken.”

Recently appointed curator of the AIH, Carter said, “This unique exhibition displays how these under-known emerging master artists, turned their – ‘if only I had…’ moments - into- ‘Yea, I’m following a path that has heart...’ moments. It is an example of what can happen when you choose to live your passion.”

Carter additionally feels that part of his mission is to make the “under-known” and “under-renown” contemporary masters and emerging masters of the African Diaspora - renown and appreciated in the World Community.

The exhibition, co-curated by art collector and Chicago State University Art professor, Daniel Parker, opens with an invitation only collectors viewing on Thursday (June 19) evening followed by a Grand Opening reception and Artist Talk on Friday between 5:00pm and 8:00pm. The exhibition closes Saturday at 4:00pm.

The exhibition features five Chicago-based artists, who found success in previous career paths and life experiences and later discovered art as their new life expression. Their former careers are as diverse as their chosen art mediums covering the full spectrum from a Graffiti Tagger to an Advertising Executive, Entertainment Entrepreneur/Videographer, Educator and an Architect.

The Artists:

d. Wadsworth Kelley – D.C. born and raised, Kelley is a Bronzeville-Chicago influenced photographer and videographer.

Al Hawkins – Kansas City born and raised, Hawkins later became a Chicago “adopted son.” A former advertising executive with Foote, Cone and Belding, Hawkins is now a master of acrylics and mixed media.

Marcus Sterling Alleyne - Chicago born and raised with Saint Ignatius College Prep roots, Marcus is a former art framer and Graffiti Tagger whose tagged Cub bleacher seat is currently on display at 444 N. Michigan Ave. He is now a mixed media fine artist specializing in acrylics and pastels.

Raymond A. Broady – Raised on Chicago’s Westside, Broady, an architect, attended the University of Illinois and is now a master water colorist.

Malika Jackson - Chicago born and raised, CPS educated and a CPS master educator, Jackson, is now a master of many media creations including acrylics, mixed media, ceramics, and three dimensional works. She started on her road to art mastery by making dolls for her daughter whom she called her “little-black butterfly”.

According to Carter, “From all indications - art patrons, collectors, and those even new to the world of collecting art of the African Diaspora, will walk into AIH, survey the exhibit and say to themselves the English translation of DESIDERATA – “I GOTTA HAVE THAT!”

For more information about the art exhibit or related programs visit: www.AIHUSA.org or call: (773) 955-ARTS (2787).

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