On the heels of Chicago’s Artist Month comes The Harlem Fine Arts Show, which stops at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago from October 30 to November 2, 2014, and will showcase the works of dozens of established and emerging African-American artists, including artists from Chicago.
Since 2010, The Harlem Fine Arts Show has opened annually in New York City and has attracted more than 50,000 visitors and accounted for millions of dollars in art sales since its inception. Many people are surprised that black artists can demand up to $10,000 or more for their works. However a portion of those sales have been in the $100 – $500 range so there’s a market for everyone, new and established collectors alike.
In addition to New York, the 2014 show was presented in Atlanta and on Martha’s Vineyard. Tickets for the HFAS are just $20 and children age 12 and younger are admitted free. Senior groups are offered a 50 percent discount.
The Opening Night Reception kicks-off Thursday, October 30, at The Merchandise Mart at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza. It will benefit two legendary Chicago cultural institutions, The DuSable Museum of African American History and the South Side Community Art Center, both of, which were co- founded by artist Margaret Bourroughs. A “Salute to African Americans in Finance” will be presented, and publishers of major African American Chicago newspapers will be honored during this event. The reception will feature live jazz music, hors d’oeuvres and beverages, in addition to providing a great opportunity to be among the first to view the show. Tickets for the HFAS Chicago Opening Night Reception are $150.
“We are excited to bring the Harlem Fine Arts Show to Chicago, one of the country’s most vibrant art centers,” says Dion Clarke, who founded the HFAS in 2009. “And we are pleased to partner with the South Side Community Art Center and The DuSable Museum as beneficiaries of the Opening Night Reception. Both are incredible cultural institutions with missions that are closely aligned with that of the HFAS – to support and promote the work of talented African Americans and other artists of the African Diaspora.”
Among the artists participating in the Harlem Fine Arts Show Chicago are Gerald Griffin, a lauded Chicago artist who owns Griffin Fine Art & Interior Design; cutting-edge Chicago artist Raymond Thomas, who currently is featured in a solo exhibition at Blanc Gallery; Joyce Owens, whose “Black Desire In Practice” exhibit is now at the South Side Community Art Center; Louise Cutler, a painter, writer and performance artist with roots in Chicago; Chicago native Danny Jenkins and his Water Kolours Gallery, based in Memphis; Kevin A. ‘WAK’ Williams, perhaps the best-selling African American artist in the print market; and Ted Ellis, the prolific self-taught artist who has sold more than 1.75 million fine art products.
Friday, October 31, is designated as HFAS Youth Empowerment Day (10 am to 3 pm), and all school children and college students are invited to attend free of charge. It will be a wonderful opportunity for young people to meet and interact with accomplished artists.
On Saturday, November 1, the HFAS will present The Winston and Carolyn Lowe Art Lecture Series that fosters the HFAS commitment to nurturing the ongoing development of collectors, scholars, appraisers and artists. The interactive discussion will feature nationally renown Black artists sharing insight on these and other aspects of the art world. The participating audience will have an opportunity to meet the artists and ask questions.
Sunday, November 2, the final day of the Harlem Fine Arts Show Chicago, will be a family affair featuring an Art Jazz Brunch with live music. Those attending will have an opportunity to enjoy a delicious Sunday brunch against a backdrop of incredible artwork and live music. It will be a great way to spend Sunday afternoon with family and friends after enjoying uplifting church services. (Children are welcomed and those age 12 and younger are admitted free.)
BMW and United Airlines are lead sponsors for the 2014 Harlem Fine Arts Show Chicago, along with major sponsors PepsiCo, Nationwide Insurance and Bombay Sapphire. Other partners for the Harlem Fine Arts Show Chicago are NBC 5 Chicago and Clear Channel Communications.
For tickets and other information about The Harlem Fine Arts show, visit www.hfas.org
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