OLCDC Kicks Off The Fourth Annual Art Of Transformation

OPA-LOCKA, Fla., Nov. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Opa-locka Community Development Corporation (OLCDC) will host the fourth annual Art of Transformation starting on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, with the grand opening event for the exhibition, Through the Eyes of Others. The exhibition and its related programming will provide a critical platform for re-imaging the past, present and future possibilities of blackness as something more complex than race. An exclusive VIP party hosted by OLCDC and groundbreaking contemporary artists also takes place on Friday, Dec. 4. The exhibition concludes on Friday, Dec. 11.

"The Art of Transformation opens up a dialogue for discussing not only the physical artwork, but also the psychological and spiritual journey of how art can help define a community," said President and CEO of OLCDC, Willie Logan Ph.D. "Addressing issues through art brings people closer together by helping people reach a more in-depth understanding of race and the black culture."

Curated by Tumelo Mosaka, the exhibition features artwork from Hank Willis Thomas, Dread Scott, Bernard Williams and Ebony G. Patterson. The artists will hold a meet & greet panel on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m., to discuss the relevance of race in their field and the role of arts in transforming society today.

"This exhibition invites people to start a conversation about the current arts landscape in Miami and the power art can have in a city like Opa-locka," said Mosaka. "The city is working to change stereotype images of black identity, which only serve to reinforce negative attitudes."

Art enthusiasts and the general public are invited to attend any event during the Art of Transformation series by registering for free at Eventbrite.com or Opalockaart.com.

• Friday, Nov. 6, starting at 7 p.m. – Through the Eyes of Others opening reception
• Saturday, Nov. 7, starting at 2 p.m. – Artists' Panel / Meet & Greet
• Wednesday, Nov. 11, starting at 6 p.m. – The Interrupters Film Screening
• Monday, Nov. 9 – Friday, Dec. 11, weekdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 4, starting at 10 p.m. – VIP Party

The Art of Transformation is sponsored by AT&T, Art of Black Miami, Tito's Handmade Vodka, The Kresge Foundation, Surdna Foundation, UBER, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs* and the City of Opa-locka.

*With the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.

ABOUT THE OPA-LOCKA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
The Opa-locka Community Development Corporation (OLCDC) was established in November 1980 as a nonprofit community development corporation in order to address the distressed unemployment conditions, particularly in the Opa-locka and North Dade County, Florida, communities. Its primary mission is to transform neighborhoods by capitalizing on community assets, empowering residents and creating community and economic initiatives that serve as a catalyst in promoting sustainable development. For more information about OLCDC, please visit www.olcdc.org.

SOURCE Opa-locka Community Development Corporation

Related Links

http://www.olcdc.org