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A Savannah African Art Museum Workshop Series
Join us for our African Symbols: Past & Present – Fall Workshop Series & Kwanzaa Marketplace
Symbolism is embedded in African culture and art. Seldom is African art created for decorative purposes; rather it is created to breathe life into the values, emotions, spiritual practices, veneration, celebrations, and daily customs of the many ethnic groups of the continent, as you will discover during a tour of our museum’s collection of West & Central African art.
All workshops will be held on the below mentioned Saturday from 11am – 1pm at the
Savannah African Art Museum, 2nd floor of the Terracotta Gallery Workshop Room,
201 E 37th Street/corner of Abercorn St.
Participant Availability up to 12 Participants between the ages of 6 – up
To participate you must RSVP through Eventbrite next to each workshop listed in the series.
This workshop will be limited occupancy so to secure your seat you must register through the Eventbrite link below. Once you are registered, we ask that you please arrive on time for the workshop or your seat will be forfeit to the next in line on the waitlist.
PLEASE NOTE:
Masks are recommended
Adinkra Cloth:
History, Meaning, Purpose
Saturday, September 17, 2022 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Join us for this first workshop of our Fall series on African Symbols, “Adinkra Cloth.” In this workshop we will explore the history of Ghana’s authentic Adinkra cloth & its distinct symbols which are likened to proverbs; its original purpose, and how it has been/is used in ways/places that may surprise you (e.g., the ornate ironwork you see around Savannah)! Attendees will also design their own canvas backpacks with select Adinkra symbol stamps.
Cowrie Shells:
Wealth, Protection, Prestige
Saturday, October 8, 2022 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
*Ticket sales go live on Oct. 4
Those who have seen the film “Woman King,” may have noticed the Dahomey Warriors were adorned in cowrie shells. Come join us to learn more about the origin of the shells, their prestige, economic, cultural, sacred significance and importance. See the beautiful artwork of West & Central Africa created with them.
This workshop begins with a tour of the Cowrie Shell Exhibit & Create a Bracelet with cowrie shells, beads, and other materials.
Language:
Culture, History, Influence
Saturday, November 12, 2022 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
*Ticket sales go live on Nov. 4
Many of you may have been fans of the “Black Panther” Marvel comic before it became a 2018 blockbuster film and highly anticipated sequel (release date 11/11). Note the creative symbols (jewelry, colors, etc.,) used to represent characters, themes, etc. Are you aware that there was an actual King who ruled Bamum in western Cameroon (1895 – 1933) named King Ibrahim Njoya, who created a writing system to preserve his people’s language during the colonial era, and his collaborator nephew, Ibrahim Njoya, a talented artist was the first comic book author in Africa and Cameroon.
This workshop begins with a tour of the King Ibrahim Njoya Exhibit before we create a short simplified comic strip project.
Kwanzaa:
Family, Community, Culture
Saturday, December 10, 2022 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
*Ticket sales go live on Dec. 2
Design and decorate a Kwanzaa Banner for your home or as a Kwanzaa gift
Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African celebration based on the agricultural harvest celebrations of Africa called “First Fruits,” which are times of harvest, ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment, and celebration! Harvest Festivals are celebrated all over Africa and are filled with lots of music, singing, and dancing, with dancers adorned in traditional masks and costumes, some of what you will see in our museum collection.
Kwanzaa’s Creator, Dr Maulana Karenga created the celebration to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among African American people, as well as Africans throughout the world African community. Kwanzaa is celebrated by millions throughout the African Diaspora and beyond from December 26th – Jan 1st. It celebrates Family, Community, and Culture. Join us as we share more about the celebration, the African symbols & their origin, and design/decorate your personalized Kwanzaa banners