Center for the Arts presents African American Art Exhibition through Black History month
STAMFORD CONNECTICUT — To artistically celebrate the rich and complex chapters that comprise African American history, the Stamford Center for the Arts Cultural Fine Arts Program will be opening Fairfield County's 2008 African American Art Exhibition this weekend. The display, called "Double Consciousness," includes artistic works from artists of African, Haitian and African-American descent.
The exhibition is inspired by the words of philosopher and teacher W.E.B. Du Bois and his concept of double consciousness, which he described as the manifestation of two souls inhabiting one body simultaneously — as in the genetic African spirit and American influence that inhabits the African-American psychic consciousness.
The works of art in the exhibition work to educate audiences on challenges faced by the African American.
"Double Consciousness" opens Jan. 18 and runs through March 2. Works are as varied as the artists who created them. Yet, each work is a merging of complex influences, methods and expressions.

The exhibition can be viewed downtown Stamford at the Stamford Center for the Arts' Rosenthal Gallery, located at 307 Atlantic St., and at the Sackler Gallery, located at 61 Atlantic Street.
Gallery hours for both venues are Monday through Saturday from10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
Works can also be viewed by appointment at General Electric's corporate headquarters' cultural fine art gallery or virtually at www.picture-that.com/gegallery/africanamerican.
To officially open the exhibition, a community reception will be held on Feb. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The reception is free, open to the public, and includes cultural music and refreshments.
Literacy and art submissions by students from Fairfield County schools and community centers will also be on display.
This is the 5th year that General Electric's African American Forum (GEAAF) has sponsored Fairfield County's African American Fine Art Exhibition and Community Reception. The community at large is cordially invited to attend.
For more information,contact The Stamford Center for the Arts' Cultural Fine Arts Program
at 203-977-8203.
For directions to the Rich Forum or Palace Theatre visit www.scalive.org.
According to its mission, the Stamford Center for the Arts is dedicated to being the region's premier destination for world-class entertainment, fostering outstanding educational and outreach programs, and operating state-of-the-art facilities.
Last season, Stamford Center for the Arts hosted more than 500 events, 200 of which were stage performances.

In Daytona at the Museum of Arts and Sciences, there's a rare exhibit of pre-Castro Cuban art.
The exhibition, "Great Masters of Cuban Art 1800 to 1958", will feature more than 90 paintings from the private collection of Cuban-born collectors Roberto and Carlos Ramos of Miami. The brothers have overcome great challenges to rescue both the artworks and the archival art history of the Cuban Republic (1902-1958). The paintings are by some of Cuba's most revered artists. Also, in combined celebration of the birthday of Cuba's national hero, José Marti, and the museum's 50th anniversary of receiving the Cuban Foundation Museum Collection from Cuba's ex-president Fulgencio Batista, there will be several special events in the next two weeks, including a "Havana Night" fundraiser gala on Jan. 19 (call 386-255-0285 today to reserve tickets).