16th Annual African American History Month Art Show Feb. 1 – 23 on YSU campus

The 16th Annual African American History Month Art Show will begin Wednesday, February 1, in the Judith Rae Solomon Gallery of Bliss Hall. The exhibition, "Makonde Sculptures," showcases the collection of Tazim and Nazim Jaffer.

Tazim Jaffer is an artist and visual anthropologist of Indian heritage, born in Tanzania. As a visual anthropologist, Jaffer has received numerous grants to research life-cycle rituals and women's economic empowerment from African, East Indian, South Asian, and Pacific Island cultures. A significant aspect of her studies has focused primarily on Makonde wood carvings that have been marginalized in the United States and the Western world. Jaffer argues that the characterization of Makonde wood sculpture as "tourist art" is inaccurate because the "traditional" aspect of Makonde sculpture is an authentic art form embedded with unique aesthetic qualities and socio-religious content in material culture. She has a record of solo, invitational, group, and juried exhibitions nationally and internationally for the past 40 years.

Parking is most conveniently available in the Wick Avenue Parking Deck (M30) for a $5 fee in cash only. To access Bliss Hall and reach the 2nd floor, patrons should park in the Wick Deck and enter Bliss Hall via the Lobby entrance (which may be accessed via the walkway behind the McDonough Museum of Art) or the Wick Avenue entrance. For GPS directions to the Wick Deck, please use 453 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio, 44502.

More information is available by calling the Office of Community Engagement and Events at (330) 941.2346.