Mavuno’s annual First Fruit exhibition is in its 12Th year. This exhibition has showcased many great artists through the years as well as given emerging artists a chance to exhibit their work. There is no entry fee and there is still time to apply.

For an application form follow this link: http://www.sweetwaterartcenter.org/call_for_artists.asp and click on first fruit XII submission form.

Sewickley, PA……………………….

Sweetwater Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the events schedule for the 12th annual Mavuno Festival of African American Art & Culture. Mavuno, translated as “first fruit” in Swahili, is held during the traditional African harvest season in September & October. This year’s events can be enjoyed by all audiences both young and old.

Author’s Lecture with Autumn Redcross
Wednesday, October 22nd, 7:30
Sweetwater Center for the Arts

Autumn Redcross will be presenting a lecture on her and Betty Cole’s recently released the book History of African Americans in the Sewickley Valley. This lecture is presented by the Sewickley Valley Historical Society. Refreshments and book signing opportunity will follow lecture.

Photo of Autumn Redcross

Artist in Residency Program: Afterschool Art Workshop for Kids
October 20th – 24th, After school
Father Ryan Art Center, 420 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks

Sweetwater is hosting South African born artist Clarabelle Van Niekerk to come to our surrounding communities for a kid’s afterschool workshop. The children will be learning about African art and culture through art making, dance, and music. They will create their own set props and costumes and perform for the community at the end of the week.

For more information on the Mavuno Festival please call Sweetwater Center for the Arts at 412-741-4405.

Media Sponsors and Partners: DUQ- FM, The New Pittsburgh Courier, WAMO- FM/AM, WPGR and www.BrothaAshProductions.com

Event Planner: Corporate Planners- www.corporateplanners.org

The Mavuno Festival began in 1996 through a community meeting of local and regional African American leaders. The mission of the Festival is to build awareness of the outstanding talents and organizations within the African American community. The Mavuno Festival is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Multicultural Arts Initiative. Community Partners include Sewickley Academy, The Father Ryan Art Center, The Aliquippa Alliance for Unity and Development, The Sewickely Valley Historical Society, Carlow University, and the Daniel B. Mathews Historical Society.

“This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art and by the Multicultural Arts Initiative.”