Susan Taylor, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Essence Magazine to hose Harlem Fine Arts Show 2011 opening night

Feb 25-27, 2011

HARLEM, N.Y., Feb. 7, 2011 (PRNewswire) — The 2011 Harlem Fine Arts Show (HFAS) www.hfas.org is moving ahead full steam to its gala opening on Friday, February 25, 2011 with Susan Taylor , whose name is synonymous with Essence Magazine as Editor-in-Chief-Emeritus of the publication, at the helm. A dazzling highlight to Black History Month, the 2011 HFAS, one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious collections of works (paintings, photographs and sculpture) by African American artists from around the world – both established and emerging – runs from February 25-27 at the historic Riverside Church in Harlem.

“The opportunity to support this major presentation of Black art is thrilling. The show is a cultural celebration and nourishing to the souls of people from every walk of life,” Susan Taylor states. In addition to the art or “cultural nutrition,” part of the “enrichment” is the community outreach the HFAS always incorporates. The beneficiary of the Friday night gala is the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention in Harlem, which is dedicated to providing quality oncology care for medically underserved New Yorkers. The cocktail reception on Saturday night will benefit Brotherhood/Sister Sol, which mentors black and Latino young people in Harlem, with the goal of helping them develop into critical thinkers and community leaders.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have someone of Susan Taylor’s stature as a part of the 2011 Harlem Fine Arts Show. She adds an additional layer of warmth, grace, beauty and authenticity that is undeniably artistic,” said Dion Clarke, President of JWD Enterprises Inc., which is the producer of the Harlem Fine Arts Show.

As an added component, this year the HFAS is partnering with New York area public and charter schools to provide a forum for cultural exposure for young people. Students will experience the exhibit throughout the day on Friday, February 25 for Art, History and Ancestry Day! Lastly, the HFAS is a stunning networking opportunity for an eclectic gathering of patrons from throughout the tri-state area, as well as up and down the eastern seaboard – to exchange ideas and naturally promote inter-cultural awareness.

More than 100 artists and galleries will be featured at the 2011 Harlem Fine Arts Show.

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