Exhibition Opens on Thursday, December 6th, 2012 in Overtown
Welcome Reception hosted by District 5 Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones

Overtown, Miami-Overtown will serve as the backdrop to one of the most relevant art exhibits during the Art Basel week with its presentation of “Art Africa”, December 6-9, 2012 at their tent at 919 NW 2nd in Overtown, Florida, adjacent to the Lyric Theatre. This juried, multidisciplinary exhibition of fine contemporary art from the global African Diaspora is being produced by TheUrbanCollective and curated by Babacar Mbow. On Thursday, December 6, 2012 from 6pm-10pm, Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones will welcome art enthusiasts’ collectors, visitors and press to celebrate the rich history that Overtown has played in the arts and entertainment playing field. Food will be prepared by Chef Creole, desserts Chef Ron DuPrat and drinks provided by Chambord, Status Vodka and Bartenura Wine. Entertainment will be provided by the Miami Jazz Society. Art Africa Miami intends to present an array of visual works that pay homage to the centrality of Africa, and its descendant’s artistic contributions to the modern world. With 10 local artists, 20 Caribbean, 35 from around the USA and 10 artists from Africa, including a special exhibition from the African Artist Foundation Gallery of Lagos, Nigeria; Art Africa is poised to guarantee a platform for exceptional African Diasporic artists to be showcased during Basel Week each year.

The Art Africa 2012 selection committee included some of the art industry’s top heavy weights.

The committee consisted of D. Neil Hall (Architect, Producer, Art Africa), Helmut Schuster(Art Director of the Schuster Galleries Berlin/Miami and Potsdam), Althea Vicki Silvera(Caribbean Fine Art Collection/Department Head of Special Collections Department, Green Library at FIU), Malik S. Benjamin(Instructor/Director of Program at FIU Carta School of Architecture), Bonnie Clearwater(Director/Chief Curator of Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami) and Peter Hermann ( Berlin based Gallerist and proprietor of Galerie Pete).

Schedule of Events and locations that Art Africa will be showing

TUESDAY DEC 4TH
OPENING RECEPTION with DJ OHSO
TheUrbanCollective, |6:00-10:00 pm| By Invitation
at TheUrbanCollective, Midtown -3426 N. Miami Ave, Miami, Fl

THURSDAY DEC 6TH
Evening First Look and Reception |6:00-10:00 pm|
Black Art in America and Non Radio Music: Mobile Media Lounge |7:00-9:00 pm|
Art Africa 2012 After Hours Speakasy at Avenue D |10:00- UNTIL|
8th Ave South Miami Ave, Miami, Fl 33130

FRIDAY DEC 7th
Art Africa Miami Arts Fair Exhibition General Admission |11:00 am -6:00 pm|

SATURDAY DEC 8TH
Art Africa Miami Exhibition |11:00 am-7:00 pm|
Diaspora Dialogue |1:00-3:00 pm|

SUNDAY DEC 9th
Art Africa Miami Arts Fair Exhibition |11:00 am-6:00 pm|
Closing Mixer at Soyka |7:00 pm- 10:00 pm|

VENUE ADDRESS
ART AFRICA MIAMI 2012 TENT
919 NW 2nd Ave
Overtown, Miami

SATELLITE EXHIBITS
Multitude Gallery| 11:00 am-6pm
5570 NE 4 street

MIAMI ART STUDIO
244 NW 35 Street, Wynwood |11:00 am-6:00pm

About TheUrbanCollective
The Urban Collective is a sustainable lifestyle brand driven by our passion for innovative design, art, and cultural exchange with partnering skilled artisans in developing countries who design beautifully hand crafted products and artifacts. Our brand emerged as one of the new urban lifestyle boutiques located in Miami's Midtown on N. Miami Ave in 2004 and continues to support the work of these artisans through our partnership and collaboration with a number of non-profit organizations including Global Partners for Development, Aid to Artisans, League of Artisans and NEST, which is dedicated to changing the lives of women artisans by giving them small loans to build and maintain art or craft-based businesses. We proudly support the work of artisans who design, fabricate and offer our patrons a collection of beautiful products that marries the raw authenticity of African craftsmanship with the sleekness of modernity.

For more information on Art Africa Miami and Art Africa Miami programming visit www.artafricamiami.com and follow on Twitter @ArtAfricaMiami. Hashtag #ArtAfricaMiami

Media Credentials: Yvette@harrispublicrelations.com or 786.897.8854