11th Annual Cleveland Fine Art Expo

Free Cleveland Fine Art Expo Returns, “Inspired” to “Reach Higher”

Famed children’s book illustrator Kadir Nelson named featured artist at favored annual ethnic art showcase!

June 14, 2011 (Cleveland, OH) – That familiar buzz, energy and vibrancy will once again fill the  halls of the Tri-C Eastern campus this summer as it hosts Sankofa Fine Art Plus and the return of its 11^th annual Cleveland Fine Art  Expo.

The Cleveland nonprofit arts organization took a break from the popular art expo last year to return inspired and empowered to bring local ethnic artist and art enthusiasts a new and improved art and culture event of the year.  The free two-day event, whose theme is “Reaching Higher (Inspire & Innovate),” will be held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 13 and 14 in the Performing Arts Center of the Tri-C Eastern Campus, 4250 Richmond Rd. in Highland Hills, OH.

As always since the first expo in 1999, attendees will descend onto the campus to shop the fine paintings, sketches, sculptures, wearable art and other finely crafted wares by artists and artisans from around the country amid a vibrant backdrop of music, dance, fashion, children’s art activities and celebrations of local artists who stand out for their achievements.

Sankofa Fine Art Plus is keeping its tradition of selecting a featured artist whose commemorative work will be the artistic representation of the event.  This year’s featured artist is San Diego visual artist and famed NAACP Image Award-winning children’s book illustrator Kadir Nelson. Cleveland Fine Art Expo Returns, “Inspired” to “Reach Higher”,

His vibrant and striking oil images have brought to life the pages of contemporary children’s biographies of African American heroes such as Louis Armstrong, Frederick Douglas and Jackie Robinson.  Nelson’s authorial debut, We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball (Jump at the Sun/Disney), is a New York Times best-selling tribute to the Negro Baseball Leagues which he crafted over a period of almost eight years.

Sankofa Fine Art Plus will soon announce the Nelson work to be named this year’s commemorative piece and, as is tradition, limited edition prints will be offered for sale at a special expo price during the event.

Event organizers promise that this year’s expo will make the wait well worth it for art lovers who missed the fine art and cultural marketplace last year.

We are excited, fired up and ready to kick off what I think will be one of the best Fine Art Expos yet,” said Sankofa Interim Executive Director Raland Hatchett.  “We have planned lots of new, fun and exciting features this year that are sure to please everyone from the devoted fine art enthusiast and collector to families who enjoy exposure to cultural expression.”

Expo hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.  For more information or for an application to exhibit, call (216) 541-ARTS (2787) or visit www.sankofafineartplus.org.

Founded in 1999, Sankofa Fine Art Plus is a nonprofit community arts organization that develops and advocates for ethnic artists and presents ethnic art as a credible and meaningful art form through community education and collaboration.

Check back for an update on the 12th Annual Cleveland Fine Art Expo!