Baltimore Clayworks Presents Tour de Clay's Tour de Clay Afrique: An Odyssey Through African and African American Clay Art
Read the full Tour de Clay Afrique brochure
Baltimore, MD - When Baltimore welcomes Tour de Clay, "an unprecedented alignment of 160 exhibitions featuring 878 artists from around the world showcasing all possibilities of art in clay," Baltimore will also welcome Tour de Clay-Afrique, a mind-expanding collection of exhibitions highlighting African and African American artists and venues that will evoke reactions ranging from communing with nature to addressing issues of urban culture.
Tour de Clay-Afrique's eclectic array of exhibitions will feature the work of internationally renowned African and African American artists like Ampofo Anti, Lawson Oyekan, Sana Musasama, David McDonald, Joyce J. Scott, Carlton Leverette and many others at a variety of venues throughout the Baltimore area. The exhibitions will also be complemented by artist talks, receptions and a host of other special activities.
Presented by Baltimore Clayworks in partnership with artists, galleries, and leaders from the cultural community throughout the Greater Baltimore region, Tour de Clay will feature exhibitions at cultural institutions, educational institutions, commercial galleries and a number of non-traditional spaces throughout the greater Baltimore region for six weeks beginning on February 19 and continuing through April 2, 2005. Tour de Clay-Afrique exhibitions will run throughout the same time period.
Tour de Clay will coincide with the American Craft Council show (ACC) in February as well as the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference (NCECA) in March. Together, the two conferences will bring more than 31,000 collectors, ceramic artists, and art enthusiasts to the Baltimore region. Tour de Clay and Tour de Clay-Afrique will provide them with unlimited opportunities to explore and discover the use of clay and how ceramicists are using clay in art.
The American Visionary Art Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore Clayworks, Contemporary Museum, Coppin State University, Eubie Blake Cultural Arts Center, C. Grimaldis Gallery, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Maryland Institute College of Art, Morgan State University, School 33 Art Center, T. Rowe Price and Bank of America lobbies, and The Whole Gallery are among the participating venues. Additionally, venues such as Fells Point, Mt. Vernon, Federal Hill, and Annapolis will host clusters of exhibits and as well as opening receptions, gallery talks, and tours.
Tour de Clay and Tour de Clay-Afrique will culminate with Bike Tour de Clay Challenge, a grand finale where interested participants will sign up to bike to as many venues as possible.
Baltimore Clayworks is a not-for-profit ceramic art center located in the Mt. Washington neighborhood in northwest Baltimore. Founded in 1980, Clayworks is housed in two reclaimed and renovated buildings located across the street from one another. This organization offers classes, artists' spaces, exhibitions, and programs in the community. Hours are 10am - 5pm, Monday through Saturday and 12 - 5pm on Sundays. For more information call Baltimore Clayworks at 410-578-1919 or visit our website, www.baltimoreclayworks.org.