An impromptu, free-style rap or an artist hawking his wares to passers-by on an Atlanta street corner is nothing new, but taken in context with the National Black Arts Festival, a series of programs and exhibits that continues in the city through Sunday, it's an unofficial celebration of a culture.
"Black art is so diverse," said Sharif Davis, a rapper who goes by the street name Black Titanium.
"It's an expression of the people who do it. At the festival, you might see people from Africa, Muslims, you know, all together. We've got everybody here. It's everybody expressing themselves in different forms and fashions.
"I present my art through CDs, he does his through sculpture, she does hers through earrings. But it's all art and everybody comes together in one spot, the black Mecca, which is Atlanta, and it's the Black Arts Festival," Mr. Davis said.
Amid hundreds of vendors congregated on Jubilation Square outside Underground Atlanta selling everything from carved African sugar spoons to designer sunglasses, Gwen Burroughs of Atlanta, was looking for a bargain.
"I came here for the art," she said. "Something that's in my price range."
Ms. Burroughs said the festival has more than just good buys, however.
"It's a great way to promote and find black art, and it's good for the children and families, she said."
Beyond the temporary flea market set up at Underground Atlanta, the National Black Arts Festival has family-friendly events lined up throughout the city this weekend.
Along with discussions of art and gallery crawls, the Pan African Film Festival, held at the Woodruff Arts Center, features a variety of works from local, national and international filmmakers.
Theater-lovers can get a weekend full of contemporary and classic productions, including Diahann Carroll in Bubblin' Brown Sugar, T.C. Carson in Two Queens, One Castle, and Langston Hughes' Tambourines to Glory, directed by Kenny Leon.
Whatever the taste, the chances are it can be filled at the festival, said Roger Ngong, of Baltimore, who traveled to take part in the vendors market.
"It's a good place to come get good music, good art and have a good time," he said.
See the festival's calendar of events at www.nbaf.org.
Reach Kamille Bostick at (706) 823-3223 or kamille.bostick@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Back
