kwanzaa-candles-web.jpgA popular community tradition begun in 1980 and continues with the opening of the Kuumba Annual Kwanzaa Art Exhibition at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center in Liberty City.

While drawing a smaller audience than last year, visitors were treated to a fresh display of new and recent works by Florida African World Artists, along with a table of “affordable art” items for the gift-giving season (a Kwanzaa Exhibition tradition), and an extraordinary live solo performance of original “Jazzoetry” by percussionist and flautist Greg Norflee, who also exhibited some of his fashion designs.

Presented by the Kuumba Artists Collective and Amadlozi Gallery, the annual exhibition is much inspired by the Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) of traditional African community values which comprise the Kwanza Celebration: Umoja, unity; Kujichagulia, Self-Determination; Ujima, Collective Work and Responsibility; Ujamaa, Cooperative Economics; Nia, Purpose. Kuumba, Creativity; and Imani, Faith.

This year’s exhibition is also dedicated to the memory and legacy of the late Nelson Mandela.

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and by appointment.  The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center is located at 6161 NW 22nd Ave., at the corner of NW 62nd Street/Dr. MLK Jr. Boulevard.  The telephone number is 305-638-6771.