African
cultures, arts, celebrated at annual event
By
Monica Levette Clark
On-line Forty-Niner
An
array of music and cultures, art and artists,
clothing and accessories, ethnic foods,
and even more ethnically diverse people
filled the grounds of Exposition Park on
Monday, celebrating the last day of the
annual African Marketplace and Cultural
Fair.
The
market place, which is sponsored by the
City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department
and a host of other businesses and organizations,
opened Aug. 16 and ran on weekends only.
Celebrating
its 18th anniversary this year, the marketplace
moved last year from Rancho Cienega Park,
its home of 12 years, to the larger Exposition
Park, which is located next to the Coliseum.
More
than 200 vendors and exhibitors both international
and American turned out for this event to
showcase their items to the public.
At
$3 admission for children under 10 years
of age and senior citizens, and $6 admission
for adults, the marketplace was a multicultural
affair and a chance for people to learn
more about the African influence over countries
such as Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean, Cote
d-Ivoire and a host of others.
This
year, exhibitors from Jordan and the United
Arab Emirate were included in the marketplace
for the first time.
Attendees
were able to visit many exhibiting locations,
including the Little Africa Youth Village,
the Holistic Village, Technology Village,
Literary Village and the Sculptors Court.
Joseph
Beckles, a sculptor at the event, designed
a 14-foot sculpture that stood in the walkway
of one of the main entrances. He called
his work, the "Middle Passage Memorial,"
paying homage to the Africans that were
brought over to Europe during slavery.
Beckles
said that it was the largest work he has
ever sculpted and it took him 2 months to
make. His work has been exhibited at the
Watts Towers Art Center and other art galleries.
"My
plan is to have one of my sculptures on
every continent," he said.
Baba-G,
a five-year veteran to the marketplace,
was one of several vendors exhibiting rare,
handmade African jewelry.
Leah
Willis, a student at Santa Monica College
came to the marketplace for the music and
the African dancing.
"I
just moved to Los Angeles one year ago and
this is my first time coming to the African
marketplace," Willis said. "It
is so beautiful. I love the people, the
music, and learning about African history."
Willis,
20, is a member of an African dance troupe
and plans to transfer to Cal State Long
Beach next semester.
Edith
Williams, another vendor selling handmade
gordes said that she loved coming to the
marketplace because of the interaction it
promotes between other artists that normally
don't get to see each other's works.
"You
get to interact with different people, cultures
and personalities and explain your artwork
to the public," Williams, said.
This
year one of the paintings of artist Avery
Clayton was chosen by the organizers of
the marketplace to appear on the posters
that promoted the event.
"The
organizers approached me about using a piece
of artwork for the festival and I was more
than happy to do it," Clayton said.
Clayton
was at the marketplace to exhibit some of
his artwork, as well as sign copies of selected
pieces from his collection of posters.
"This
is my first time exhibiting at an event
like this because my work is mostly shown
in galleries, but I have been coming every
year to the marketplace as a spectator.
I enjoy being out here, listening to the
music, eating the food, and the atmosphere
has been great," he said.
Long
Beach resident Byron Pettit, attended the
marketplace. Pettit said he has been coming
to the marketplace for four years now.
"I
love these kinds of cultural events because
you get to buy rare things and see rare
artwork," Pettit said.
This
year the marketplace organizers will host
the African Unity Village, a new event similar
to the original, will take place at the
Los Angeles County Pomona Fairplex Sept.
19-21.
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