Staff Report

MIAMI – With a year of events planned, The Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida Inc. kicks off its 40th Anniversary with the Visions of Our 44th President Barack Obama exhibition. The exhibit displays realistic, life-sized busts designed, painted, and/or embellished by forty-four contemporary African American artists from across the country. Visions will have a Black Tie Opening Reception on Wednesday, November 30 at 7p.m. at the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex, 819 NW 2 Avenue in Miami. It will be open to the general public on December 1.

“Showcasing Visions in Miami not only highlights the historic term of our nation’s first African American president,” said Timothy A. Barber, Black Archives Executive Director. “Through artistic expression, Visions celebrates the accomplishments we have been able to achieve together, as a community, over the past eight years. Our goal is that this exhibit will extend beyond race, social status, or party affiliation, to highlight the common threads among us and inspire a continued togetherness as this country moves into its next chapter.”

Each artist started with an identical blank bust and were charged with commemorating the historical significance of President Barack Obama thorugh their customized image. For the forty-four contemporary African American artists, this exhibition fosters self-expression. For visitors, the goal is to spark dialogue and generate conversation that fosters humanity. The exhibit is organized by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, MI and was curated by Peter Kaplan of Our World, LLC.

For more information about this event, please visit www.BAHLT.org. To purchase tickets for the private reception, please visit VisionsOpening.eventbrite.com.