Monday, September 9, 2013








BLACK ART IN AMERICA™
at: Faison Firehouse Theater

Fine Art Show & Sale of Works by African-American Master Artists and their Contemporaries ...

Black Art In America™ (BAIA) is the leading online social network focused on African-American art. On October 4th - 6th, 2013, BAIA will host an extraordinary showcase of works by African-American Artists in Harlem at: Faison Firehouse Theater, Six Hancock Place, NYC 10027 (124th Street between. St. Nicholas & Morningside Avenues)

Featuring Original Works By:
Charles Alston / Romare Bearden / Herbert Gentry / Hughie Lee Smith / Bob Thompson / Charles White
Louis Delsarte / Frank Frazier / Mr. Imagination / Vincent Smith / Purvis Young Mason Archie / Najee Dorsey / Lawrence Finney / Nnamdi Okonkwo / Woodrow Nash / Najjar Abdul-Musawwir / ScareCro ... and many more

Hosted By: George Faison, Celeste Beatty and Najee Dorsey.

Special Guest: Kenny Leon, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of True Colors Theatre Company, and supporter of Black Art In America, Kenny Leon, is an acclaimed film and theater director. Leon is the first African-American director to have two shows running on Broadway simultaneously with the Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett; and Stick Fly, produced by Alicia Keys.

Host: George W. Faison, patron and fine art collector, danced with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 1967 through 1970. He was the first African-American choreographer to win a Tony Award for his choreography in The Wiz (1975). In the early 1970s, he created two modern American dance classics, Suite Otis and Slaves for the George Faison Universal Dance Experience. Mr. Faison choreographed for Broadway and choreographed and directed numerous productions for regional theaters. In the early 1980s, he changed his professional career focus to writing, directing and choreographing dramatic and musical theater pieces. Mr. Faison co-produced and wrote the Cosby Salutes Ailey, NBC TV special, celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He is co-founder and the producing artistic director of the Faison Firehouse Theatre, located in a former Harlem firehouse. In addition to the theatre, Mr. Faison has developed a unique performing arts-based outreach and youth theatre project, the Faison Firehouse Respect Project. www.faisonfirehouse.org

Host: Celeste Beatty, is an avid collector and founder of Harlem Brewing Company. The Harlem Brewing Company's flagship brand is Sugar Hill Golden Ale. Their artisanal craft beers celebrate Harlem's rich cultural history. At Harlem Brewing Company, supporting arts programming has been a part of the companies mission for 13 years. Harlem Brew is available at many special events, restaurants and retailers including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Sylvia's, Whole Foods and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Host: Najee Dorsey, is Founder / CEO of Black Art in America™ (BAIA) and is an avid collector and patron of the arts. Black Art in America™ is the leading online social network focused on African-American art, Najee is also an accomplished visual artist -- now preparing for his solo show at the Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, Georgia, entitled "Leaving Mississippi: Reflections on Heroes and Folklore". Philadelphia Daily News called Dorsey's contemporary work "a highlight of the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show" (2012).



Program Schedule:

Thursday, October 3rd, 2013 (6pm - 9pm) - Private Collector Preview Art Tour and Champagne Toast (Opening Reception) -- light fare, cocktails, private collector preview, art exhibit and opening of online auction.

Friday, October 4th, 2013 (2pm - 9pm) -- exhibit with online auction (public opening), (6pm - 7pm) -- BAIA Member Workshop with Tantra Zawadi, (8pm - 9pm) -- Harlem happy hour with George Faison and Celeste Beatty.

Saturday, October 5th, 2013 (12 noon - 10pm), (12 noon - 2pm) -- valuation day hours,

(8pm - 10pm) -- dei 7 free range music (multimedia, playlists and music performance).



Sunday, October 6th, 2013 (by appointment only) -- closing business sales, end of online auction.