[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 48 (Thursday, March 22, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E428-E429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF THE THIRD ANNUAL 2012 HARLEM FINE ARTS SHOW

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2012

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of National 
Black History Month to recognize the prestigious Third Annual 2012 
Harlem Fine Arts Show at Harlem's historic cathedral, The Riverside 
Church. The Harlem Fine Arts Show, HFAS, is one of the nation's largest 
and most prominent collections of works, paintings, photographs and 
sculptures by both established and emerging African American artists 
from around the world. The HFAS always takes place during National 
Black History Month and this year's exhibition kicked-off with a 
Diversity Prep Youth Day/Fine Arts Exhibit and Opening Preview 
Reception on Friday, February 3, with exhibitions on Saturday, February 
4 and Sunday, February 5.
  Created by Dion Clarke, the Harlem Fine Arts Show was built upon the 
tradition of the long-established Black Fine Arts Show, which for 
fourteen years was the premiere show for exhibiting modern and 
contemporary art and highlighting some of the most diverse and exciting 
contemporary popular art. As stated by Mr. Clark. ``Our event is one of 
the largest collections of African American art ever assembled for a 
fine arts show, representing more than 100 artists--a dramatic reminder 
during Black History Month of the tremendous contribution of African 
and Caribbean American artists to the global fine arts landscape.''
  This year's theme, ``A Global Celebration'' shines a spotlight on 
artists around the world. The HFAS will feature the art produced by 
African Americans within our community and from around the world 
illustrating shared ancestries, injustices, and shared pride. Our 
Afrocentric art provides a deep sense of connection between generations 
of Americans and events they may have only heard about. The art of our 
people demonstrates the struggle, the pain, and the hardships we have 
endured, and celebrates the joy, the accomplishments and achievements 
of our past, present and future.
  The three day global celebration will showcase the explosion of 
culture that began with the Harlem Renaissance in the early nineteen 
hundreds and will include contemporary artist exhibitors and nationally 
renowned regional galleries. The Harlem Fine Arts Show is pleased to 
have John Martin, a seasoned exhibition designer of the JP Martin 
Group, bring together the artwork of some of the most accomplished and 
influential American artists of African and Hispanic descent.
  The renowned photography of James Van Der Zee (June 29, 1886 May 15, 
1983), a prominent documentarian of Harlem, New York from 1915 to 1960, 
will be among the featured artists who also include:
  Herold Alvares, a Haitian artist born without arms due to a 
congenital birth defect who began painting at the age of eight, who 
teaches art to disabled children at St. Vincent's Center for 
Handicapped Children in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
  Stacey Brown, a visual artist whose creations on glass are inspired 
by his background in graphic design, with flowing shapes and

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contours that express contemporary and edgy artistic style, whose work 
has garnered acclaim from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Decor 
Magazine, and BET's hit reality show, College Hill.
  Frank Frazier, a Harlem native whose art career spans over 50 years 
of perseverance and inspiration, whose genius works depict everything 
from antagonistic war to jovial jazz concerts.
  George Nock, a self-taught artist and former running back with the 
New York Jets and Washington Redskins, who has distinguished himself 
among the greatest sculptors of the twentieth and twenty-first 
centuries through his highly original bronzes.
  Kerream Jones, whose work possesses a multifaceted and timeless 
quality that has led this prolific artist to receive commissions from 
Verizon Wireless, Pepsi, Upscale Magazine, Atlanta Tribune: The 
Magazine, the City of Chicago, and various non-profit organizations.
  Gwendolyn E. Redfern, a North Carolina native and multi-talented 
artist who expresses life experiences through her pottery, painting, 
and mixed media collages.
  Najee Dorsey, Founder of Black Art in America and a mixed media 
artist whose work pays homage to a cast of colorful characters, folk 
legends and heroes, as well as critiquing aspects of contemporary 
times.
  In accordance with HFAS's commitment to our young scholars, the show 
will host Diversity Prep Day to give students the opportunity to 
explore the visual arts, mingle with the artists, and participate in a 
Youth Information Fair by the show's sponsors and partners.
  Mr. Speaker, let me congratulate along with Founder Dion Clark, this 
year's Mistress and Masters of Ceremony, Barbara Smith and Dan Gasby 
for your ongoing contributions to Black and American culture. On behalf 
of my colleagues and a very grateful nation and in celebration of 
National Black History Month I salute and recognize all of our 
participating Harlem and world renowned artists and exhibitors of the 
2012 Harlem Fine Arts Show.

                          ____________________