“A Journey Through Africa: Masks, Music, and Warriors,” now on display at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum in Delray Beach (www.spadymuseum.org), is getting ready to leave the building. March 24 is its last day taking up residence on the first floor of the Spady, and it will be missed when it’s gone.
On loan from Lynn University in Boca Raton, it is a well-curated collection of different types of African art from 14 tribal groups. The show represents nine geographic regions of Sub-Saharan Africa – a diversified look at artistic points of view – all authentic representations of their areas.
The show has garnered good reviews from visitors, according to Brandy Brownlee, museum educator who greets people at the door and often gives personalized tours. The best visitors have been those who show up with an open heart and mind, leaving behind whatever assumptions they may have of Africa and its artists.
“We had a group of men from Abbey Delray recently, and I just loved talking with them. They were a joy because they were open to the experience. Some people arrive knowing what they are going to see because of their past travels and memories, but they are not the ones who truly get the most from the show,” said Brandy. “I love the ones who come ready to learn and enjoy.”
So come with an open spirit to the last days of “A Journey Through Africa: Masks, Music, and Warriors,” and walk away enriched. The show was held in collaboration with the Delray Beach Public Library and the Creative City Collaborative.
On a different note, congratulations to the Spady Museum for winning the Bernays Award, in recognition of its 2010 Living Heritage Day Festival. The award was given by the Gold Coast Public Relations Council (GCPRC) at its January 28 Bernays Award luncheon at Indian Spring Country Club in Boynton Beach. GCPRC judges recognized several successful marketing and PR campaigns executed by local firms and organizations.
Charles Kuhn, library director at the Eugene M. and Christine E. Lynn Library at Lynn University with Vera Farrington, president of EPOCH, which operates the Spady Museum, at the Feb. 3 opening of "Journey Through Africa."
Judy Joffe of the Gold Coast PR Council present Daisy Fulton of the Spady Museum with a 2011 Bernays award.
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