FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Frank Holt, 407-246-4113

THE MENNELLO MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FOLK ART
TO SHOWCASE
VERNACULAR ART OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SOUTH

ORLANDO, FL (November 13, 2003) – The Mennello Museum of American Folk Art will introduce a new Southern African-American exhibit that will run from November 14, 2003 through February 29, 2004.

The exhibit, organized by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture of the New York Public Library, represents one of the most comprehensive collections of contemporary work by self-taught African American artists in the United States. The collection was formed by Ron and June Shelp.

The exhibition is organized around the following themes: Witness to History, Allegorical Animals, Biblical Scenes, Iconic Human Figures, Spiritual Messages and Observation and Decoration.

It contains more than 70 contemporary assemblages, drawings and sculptures produced by an extraordinary group of 27 self-taught Southern African-Americans, including noted artists Lonnie Holley, creator of a celebrated sculptural environment at his home in Birmingham, Alabama; Bessie Harvie of Tennessee, whose sculptures were included in the 1995 Whitney Biennial; Archie Byron, who has been successful in Atlanta not only as an artist but as an entrepreneur and political leader, and several members of Alabama's famous Dial family, lead by the celebrated Thornton Dial, Sr.

The museum, owned and operated by the City of Orlando, is located at 900 East Princeton Street. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and $1 for students. Admission for children 12 and under is free.
 

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