Museum for African Art

36-01 43rd Avenue at 36th Street

Long Island City, NY 11101

(718)784-7700

Written by Scott Messmore

The Museum for African Art exposes New Yorkers to African art and culture with exhibits and educational programs. The Museum of African Art is located downtown on Broadway and has another branch, the Studio Museum in Harlem to exhibit its works of art and history. Showing in the Studio Museum in Harlem until Sept. 17 is "Beads, Body and Soul: Yoruba Traditions in the Americas", an exhibit that traces the influence of the Yoruba speaking peoples in the New World. Beads, Body and Soul was organized by the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History in Los Angeles and represents 25 years of field research in Africa. The exhibit shows 150

works of art, royal jewelry, clothing and furniture, paintings and even sculpture, all covered with colorful glass bead work. The exhibits explore the relationship of religion, power and art in Yoruba society. Centered primarily in present-day Nigeria, many of the Yoruba peoples were transported to the Americas as slaves leaving a wide influence in African American, Cuban and South American culture. For more information about Beads, Body and Soul, call 212-864-4500. Starting in Sept. 27 and showing until Dec. 31, is "In the Presence of Spirits: Selections from the National Museum of Ethnology, Lisbon, Portugal". In the Presence of Spirits shows 140 artifacts such as masks, figurines, animals sculptures or initiation ritual staffs endowed with spiritual powers.

Light Up the Night Each Month

The Museum for

African Art also offers educational and cultural events to the public. On the third Thursday of every month, "Light Up the Night" is held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. featuring music, lectures or food. Sept. 21-Folorunsho Kolade and Omobile, Yoruba musicians will play. Oct. 19-Boubacar Traore, rock music from the Congo. Nov. 16-Jessica Harris teaches African cooking. Dec. 21-discounted shopping at the museum store and a wine tasting featuring the wines of South Africa.

Hours of Operation and Location

The Museum for African Art is located at 593 Broadway, between Prince Street and Houston Street. The museum is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday the museum is

open from noon to 6 p.m. On Mondays and major holidays the museum is closed. Admission to the Museum for African Art is: adults, $5; seniors, students and children, $2.50. The Studio Museum in Harlem is located at 144 West 125th St., between Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard and Lenox Avenue. The museum is open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and until 8 p.m. on Friday evenings. On Saturday and Sunday, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Studio Museum is closed on Monday, Tuesday and major holidays. Admission to the Studio Museum is free but with a suggested donation of: adults, $5; seniors and students, $3 and one dollar for children under 12 years old. For more information about the Studio Museum in Harlem, call 212-864-4500.