The Puck Building
295 Lafayette Street
Houston and Lafayette Streets
New York City

Contact
212-925-5257
www.blackfineartshow.com

“…a mandatory event among devotees of black art.” The New York Times

The 12th annual presentation of the National Black Fine Art Show (NBFAS), the premier fine art fair presenting original artwork by African, African American and Caribbean artists, will take place February 14–17, 2008 at the Puck Building in SoHo. The show presents 38 of the finest international dealers exhibiting work in a range of media from paintings, photography, limited edition prints, mixed media and works on paper to fiber art and sculpture. All artwork will be for sale.

When NBFAS was founded in 1997 it was the first fine art fair to highlight work by black artists. Despite demand from a burgeoning black upper middle class, the genre was neglected in the mainstream art market. Josh Wainwright, the show’s founder and producer recalls that “The show helped to develop a long neglected area of African-American
culture, history and economic structure. The artists and the galleries who represent them, have found that this show brings together a huge audience of knowledgeable curators, collectors and enthusiasts. Artwork sales are essential to the economic well-being necessary for professional artists. One of the main objectives of the show is to promote our artists and enable them to pursue their artistic goals and develop their talents. The show has done just that. One can see the progress made by many of these artists by viewing the growth and development in quality of the material they bring to the show each successive year.”

An impressive range of material will be presented, from historical 19th century masters to contemporary work by newly emergent artists. Among the artists represented will be: Charles Alston, Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Lois Mailou Jones, Allen Stringfellow, Ann Tanksley, Alan Rohan Crite, Richard Yarde, Ernest C. Withers, John Wilson, Charly Palmer, Marion Perkins, Dox Thrash, Glenn Ligon, Santiago Olazabal, Melvin Clark, Dana Chandler, Emma Amos and Walter H. Williams.

NBFAS will open with a preview party on Wednesday evening, February 13 to benefit The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture The Schomburg Center is the world’s leading research library devoted exclusively to documenting the history and cultural development of peoples of African descent throughout the world. Preview tickets include a show catalog and one daily readmission.

The NBFAS 2008 Educational Series is produced and benefits MoCADA, the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts. Based in Brooklyn, the museum is Brooklyn’s first devoted to utilizing the visual arts to address contemporary social, political and economic issues affecting people of the African Diaspora. This year’s series focuses on placing Black artwork in museums, galleries, auction houses and art fairs. Topics include: “War Stories:
How have curators, artists and collectors defied the artistic boundaries and opened the doors of opportunity for themselves and the next generation,” “Exploring the New Wave of Celebrity Artists,” “Don’t call me a Black Artist/Gallery!” and “How to Increase the Value of your Collection.” For information about the Educational Series or MoCADA, please call 718-230-0492.

The Puck Building is located at the corner of Houston and Lafayette Streets in SoHo, the arts district of New York City. A café and bar catered by Spoonbread will be open during show hours. The Puck Building is wheelchair accessible, no strollers allowed.

Preview Party Preview hours 5–9:30pm, Early entry at 5 is $150, 6:30pm entrance is $100
Please call the Schomburg Center at 212 491 2206 to order Preview tickets.
Dates & Hours: Thursday and Friday, February 14 and 15: noon–8pm
Saturday, February 16: 11am–8pm
Sunday, February 17: 11am–6pm
Admission: Daily Admission $15 (includes show catalog), 3-Day Pass $40
Students $10 (with valid ID). Student 3-Day Pass $25
Call for group rates. Daily tickets sold at the door only.
Educational Series: Benefitting MoCADA, the Museum of Contemporary Diasporan Arts, 718-230-0492
Press Contact: Caroline Kerrigan 646-403-8192 or pr@blackfineartshow.com

Posted: 12|14|07 at 10:42 am. Filed under: Fine Art.