This exhibition showcases paintings, drawings, and sculpture by the foremost self-taught artists of the American South and is organized by the Gadsden Arts Center of Quincy, FL.

THE PLANTATION SINGERS: Come enjoy the songs and spirituals of these Lowcountry favorites. This program is appropriate for all ages.

AFRICAN JEWELRY MAKING WITH SHEINATA CARN-HALL: Come make beautiful beaded jewelry by the creator of Reflections African Jewelry. Space is limited, registration is required. This program is appropriate for ages 6-11.

WONA WOMALAN AFRICAN DANCE AND DRUMMING: Feel the beat and discover the culture of West Africa. This program is appropriate for all ages.

DEVONE GARY’S MUSIC WORKSHOP: Come learn to be a musician and hear some great music! This program is appropriate for ages 6-11.

COLUMBIA MARIONETTE THEATRE: Join us for “The World of Anansi the Spider,” a puppet show presentation of several African folk tales narrated by the storyteller, Anansi the spider. This program is appropriate for all ages.

Torreah “Cookie” Washington is a Wayshower, studio fiber artist born in Rabat, Morocco who lives, loves and creates her textile art in Charleston, SC. She is a self-taught art quilter who learned dressmaking at the knees of her mother and grandmother. Throughout high school in New Mexico and studies at the University of Maryland, she continued to sew, crochet, paint, and pursue many other crafts and started her own dressmaking business after she was married. Cookie is the mother of three magnificent young adults, is active in her church, politics and is an independent curator who has mounted five art quilt exhibits for the North Charleston Arts Festival. Other than the birth of her children, Washington’s other proudest moment was being selected to be one of the 44 “Master Art Quilters” chosen to honor President Barack Obama.

Irene Tison Forrester was born in Jasper County, South Carolina in the late fifties to parents that were still sharecroppers during that time period. Irene remembers the cotton fields that her family planted, especially the harvest times. Some of her older 12 sisters and brothers helped her parents with the planting and harvesting of crops. Irene started drawing before first grade and was guided in her artistic efforts by her mother Mary Bell. She remembers that her mother would come home from the fields and relax by sketching the world she knew as a child. Irene would sit at her mother’s feet and watch her make a plain piece of paper come alive. Irene believes every canvas is a dream waiting to be awakened to a painting and everything that is seen is a world of joyful colors you don’t see until it becomes a painting.

Jonathan Green, painter and printmaker, was born and raised in the small Gullah community of Gardens Corner located near the South Carolina Sea Islands.  Green’s early life was greatly influenced by his grandmother who relied heavily on oral traditions to instill in him the values and traditions of his African and African-American heritage.  The customs and mores internalized by Green stressed the importance of the work ethic and a commitment to community values with a respect for the dignity and integrity of others.  He is one of the first known artists of Gullah heritage to receive formal training at a professional art school, The Art Institute of Chicago, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1982.

The Art Institute of Charleston, 24 N. Market St. Reception honoring the Artist on Sun. Oct. 2 from 2-4pm; Exhibit on view Sept. 29-Oct. 30; open 9am-8pm Mon.-Thurs., 9am-5pm Fri., 9am-2pm Sat. Admission:  Free