FESTIVAL FOCUSING ON AFRICAN HERITAGE  NEEDS ARTISTS!

Calling all artists to participate in The First Annual Juneteenth Festival & Juried Art Show (JFest)! JFest is a multidimensional showcase of fine, folk, and performing arts dedicated to the preservation of the rich heritage of people of African ancestry. The event will be held on Saturday & Sunday, June 16-17, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds of Williams Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School, and Lincoln Park in East Gainesville, FL. We are seeking 150 juried African heritage artists to display their unique work for public sale as part of a competition for $17,500 in cash awards. Numerous media categories are available, including painting, sculpture, textiles, printmaking, ceramics, jewelry, and more. Act fast, as applications are due postmarked by February 15, 2007!

JFest features a multimedia explosion of the fine arts, including music, dance, theater, and storytelling. Popular local and nationally-recognized musical performers and dance troupes will entertain the audience from two separate stages on the grounds. A variety of musical genres will be represented, from jazz to gospel to folk and rock, mirroring the many facets of African cultural heritage in the United States. Storytelling and theater will also play an important component in the festival, including the retelling of traditional tales and oral histories, as well as a special theatrical event Saturday evening. On top of this we have deliciously diverse food vendors serving regional favorites, and community organizations on-site.

For more information, including a downloadable artist application, please visit www.JFestCentral.com or contact Kelly Crandall, Assistant Festival Coordinator, at or (352) 273-1174. This event is hosted by The Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center, Inc.; please visit our website at www.savethecottonclub.org.