City marks black history
Date: Thursday, February 16 @ 00:00:00 UTC Topic: Black Habits Articles
With a variety of events taking place
across the city, from art exhibits to film
screenings, the public has the opportunity
to celebrate Black History Month
by immersing themselves in the historical
and present contributions of
African Canadians.
Running through to March 11, the
NFB (National Film Board) Mediatheque
is one of a number of organizations
recognizing local and international
African-Canadian artists.
Kirsty Evans, a spokesperson for the
NFB Mediatheque, says they’re presenting
an exhibition called Perspectives
which will be showcasing the
artistic talents of Toronto-based artists
Dionne Simpson, Sandra Brewster,
Stella Fakiyesi and Wayne Salmon, as
well as selections from the collection of
Dr. Kenneth Montague, collector, curator
and director of the Wedge curatorial
project.
“Part of what was appealing to us
about the exhibit is that there are a
number of very active, very prominent
African Canadian artists … whose
work, while very well respected is not
necessarily something that the general
public, the non-typical art go-er would
normally have access to,” says Evans.
“So we loved the idea of sharing this
tremendous visual art in a space that
isn’t a gallery, since the Mediatheque is
a cinema.”
This month also features a variety of
film screenings and talks, including an
event with Michael Chambers, an internationally
renowned Toronto-based
photographer on March 11 to close the
exhibit.
The City of Toronto is also celebrating
Black History Month with events
and exhibits exploring the heritage, traditions
and culture of African-Canadians.
An educational exhibit, Journey To
The Present, follows the history of peoples
of African descent and consists of
nine components, each focusing on a
different era. This year, the exhibit is
making its home at Hart House, University
of Toronto, from Feb. 1-10;
Scarborough North Social Services,
from Feb. 13-17; Wellesley Community
Centre, from Feb. 20 -26; Masyrk-
Cowan Community Centre, from Feb.
20–26; and Smithfield Community
School, from Feb. 27- March 3.
Toronto Historic Museums and Arts
& Cultural Centres are also offering an
array of learning opportunities.
For more information, go to
www.nfb.ca/mediatheque or
www.toronto.ca/blackhistory
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