PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Odunde Festival, the largest African American street festival in the country, takes South Street by storm every year. This weekend, festival organizers are launching the inaugural Odunde Art Sho, highlighting African American art and artists from all genres.
Odunde CEO Oshunbumi Fernandez-West said she was inspired by her mother’s love of art and the need to keep African American artistic expression alive.
“The power of art resonates in our ancestors, and we must remind people of our powerful history of where we come from,” she said. “So if we see people come from different genres, how they express themselves, I think it’s so powerful for them to be able to express themselves, but also for people to respect that.”
The day will feature four artists and their work, including Pauline Okito Brown and Ivben Taqiy Muhammed from Philadelphia. There will also be a panel discussion with the artists, along with wine, cheese and light bites.
The event will help fund Odunde’s year-round programs.
“We have dance programs, we have yoga programs, we have an entrepreneur program. So a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Odunde 365 programs,” said Fernandez-West.
The event will take place from 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Loupe Studios in North Philadelphia.