'The Beauty of Africa' Debuts in Norcross Thursday

Get ready for a monthlong celebration of Africa through art and workshops.

“The Beauty of Africa,” hosted by the Norcross Arts Center (NAC), is a dynamic and interactive perspective of Africa, slated for Oct. 4-30. Workshops will include drum-making, jewelry-making, cooking, holistic healing, dancing and even African yoga, according to a press release.

Exhibits will showcase classic and contemporary African art pieces – some of them museum quality – with items in all price ranges for sale in the NAC gallery. Workshops and activities for kids and adults are planned, with the schedule and activity options available online at The Nest's website.

Art created by African women refugees will be for sale, and proceeds from these art sales and the workshops go to the African Women Health Education & Empowerment Center (AWHEEC) which supports women refugees who have made new homes in the Atlanta area.

In addition, Chief Tunde Adetunji, president and CEO of the Africa Heritage Foundation, will present lectures that explore contemporary Africa’s economic development and business resource opportunities. He has also given the city access to his collection of authentic and rare African art, with Norcross being the exhibit’s first stop as it begins its World Tour culminating at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“This is a very high-quality, sophisticated event, but it’s going to be a lot of fun, too,” Lori Sturgess, the Norcross Art Center director, said in the press release. “Africa has so much to offer in the way of arts and culture, and there are many people who are dedicated to making positive changes built upon its rich heritage and resources. International media tends to paint one picture - I think everyone who comes to this event will leave with a whole new perspective and appreciation of what makes Africa special, too.”

“The Beauty of Africa” is proudly supported by the City of Norcross with participation from the African Women Health Education & Empowerment Center and the African Heritage Foundation. The event kicks off with a Grand Opening Party on Oct. 4 at The Nest and continues into the weekend as African artists sell their wares during the Norcross Art Fest Oct. 6-7. For details on activities throughout October, visit www.thenest-nac.com. 

The Norcross Arts Center is located at 17 College St. and can be reached at 678-429-3005 or by going to their website, http://www.thenest-nac.com/.

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The Nest Invites Norcross Residents to Get Creative