"Portraits of West Africa”—Revival of a National Exhibition
In the summer of 1976, Seymour Hofstetter, along with 20 other northern Ohio teachers selected by the American Forum for International Study, participated in a six-week program of African studies throughout western Africa. The U.S. Department of Education sponsored the trip under a Hays-Fulbright grant.
Hofstetter, a World War II U.S. Coast Guard combat photographer who became a special education teacher in the Cleveland public schools, served as the trip's official photographer. The group visited 5 West African countries and of the hundreds of slides he took, 70 were selected for the original traveling exhibition that ran from 1977 to 1979.
Hofstetter's daughter, Melinda, sorted the remarkable photographs that remain, reviving the show after 47 years. It is showcased this month at the Jewish Educational Alliance (JEA) located at 511 Abercorn St. through February 29th.
"My father brought a real sensitivity to people that is clearly revealed in his portraits. I decided to revive the show because the pictures are too remarkable to be put away forever," Melinda Hofstetter said.
All are invited to attend an opening reception from 5-7pm on Thursday, Feb. 8, and a talk by Melinda Hofstetter at the JEA on February 29th at 12:30.
Savannah Black Heritage Festival
Returning for its 35th year, the Savannah Black Heritage Festival (SBHF) brings performances, exhibits and activities to the community throughout the entire month of February. Presented by Savannah State University and sponsored annually by the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Resources, this year’s festival theme is “Legacy & Innovation: Framing the Future of Our Culture.” The Grand Festival Day is scheduled for Feb. 17 at the Savannah Civic Center where the community is invited to partake in family-oriented activities concluding with a concert. For a full schedule of events, visit: https://savannahblackheritagefestival.org.
Savannah African Art Museum
The Savannah African Art Museum will be unveiling their new rotating gallery exhibit on Thursday, Feb. 1, that will run through January 2025. The exhibit, titled “The Language of Fabrics: Weaving traditions Across Africa,” was curated by fashion and textile design specialist, Moraa Nyaribo to tell the story of different textiles used across Africa and how they were viewed in different parts of the continent. The museum will also be hosting an opening reception to meet the curator at 5:30p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2.
The Savannah African Art Museum will also be partnering with Bull Street Library’s Kaye Kole Genealogy & Local History Room to facilitate a “Tracing Your Roots” workshop on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 11a.m. The workshop will include a brief talk about the importance of knowing your roots, a guide through what resources are available at the library, as well as tips on how to get started, navigate, and organize your research. This event is a part of the 2024 Savannah Black Heritage Festival.
Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center
“Frank Stewart’s Nexus: An American Photographer’s Journey, 1960s to the Present” is the first museum retrospective of noted photographer Frank Stewart’s (b. 1949) allusive art, a photographic autobiography of his life on the road. The exhibition, on display from Feb. 9 to May 12, will present an overview of Stewart’s sixty-year long career. Since the 1960s, Stewart has captured spontaneous and sensitive portrayals of Black culture in many forms, including art, food, dance, and music—especially jazz.
SCAD Tours: Vitalizing Black History in Savannah's Communities
On Sunday, Feb. 11th, Super Museum Sunday, all are invited to travel across time on a bus tour of Savannah that illuminates SCAD’s commitment to preserving local Black history and the university’s enduring fellowship with community leaders. From significant civil rights sites to major contemporary restoration initiatives, each stop on the tour centers visionary voices from Savannah’s African American past, present, and future. Tours begin at the SCAD Museum of Art at 10a.m. and 2p.m. and are free and open to the public. To reserve a spot, visit www.eventbrite.com.
BAM! Celebrating Black Artists in Music
On Friday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m., Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) will present BAM! Celebrating Black Artists in Music at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts. After two consecutive years of sold-out shows, BAM! 2024 expands its celebration of Black History Month and Black musical artists with GRAMMY®, Emmy®, and Tony Award® nominated stars directly from Broadway, TV, and Film. They will share the stage with the stars of tomorrow, including SCAD's premier vocal ensemble, The Bee Sharps, SCAD students and alumni. American Idol winner and SCAD alum Candice Glover will also perform. For more information about the event and tickets, visit: https://tickets.scadboxoffice.com.
