WELCOME

Providing professional, creative and innovative visual art and art consulting services since 1992 


Some services provided by Ms. Afrika Abney ​

Please note that Ms. Afrika Abney has thrown numerous clothing articles away including the shown above. This is a photo that depicts Ms. Abney examining one of her abstract paintings.




Flyer created and designed by Ms. Afrika Abney 

Afrika Abney

202-384-5925

abneyartist@gmail.com


PROFILE SUMMARY

Ms. Afrika Abney first became a professional visual artist and art consultant in 1992 when she was invited to participate in the Congresswoman's Art Competition. 


SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS


Art featured on brochure and book cover.

Designed, directed, and coordinated successful educational and arts programs for adults and children.

Received grant proposals.

Managed several arts events and art workshops.


SELECTED SKILLS


Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Publisher, and Excel

Gallery operations

Curating art exhibitions

Social media marketing

Graphic designing

Flyer dissemination

Trained visual arts professional


​PAST SELECTED ART EXHIBITIONS 


​• Virtual Art Exhibition and Poetry Reading. February 19, 2023

​• The National Daughter Daddy Tour. National City Christian Church, Washington, D.C. 2004 - 2006 

​• Every Picture Tells A Story. Moca DC, Washington, D.C. January 6, 2006 - January 27, 2006

• "Heritage Collections." Emma Mae Gallery, Washington, DC. 2005-2004

•"James McLaugin Memorial Staff Show." Phillips Collection, Washington, DC. 2000

•"Evolution of Historical Symbolisms." Corcoran Gallery of the Art, Hemicycle, Washington, DC. 1997

•"All Senior Summer Show." Corcoran School of the Art, White Walls Gallery, Washington, DC. 1997-1996


SELECTED PROFESSIONAL VISUAL ARTIST AND ART CONSULTANT EXPERIENCES

 

Professional Visual Artist and Art Consultant. 1981 - Present. Provide an array of professional visual art services as a professional visual arts consultant.


ARTS SPECIALIST. Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC, Washington, D.C. June 20, 2018 - July 25, 2018. Plan and present visual arts classes for students of varying backgrounds and abilities , create a safe, structured, and positive environment for each student; and prepare and disseminate a weekly report for the Program Manager, Justin Love.


SUBSTITUTE TEACHER. DC International School, Washington, D.C. 2016 - 2017. Managed and co-managed select classrooms; provided instructions according to prepared lesson plans; ensure classroom environment that promoted active learning while working with students to reinforce learning objectives as defined by the school; and performed other assigned duties.


SUMMER ACADEMY CAMP PART- TIME ELECTIVE ART TEACHER. Higher Achievement, Washington, DC - Metro. July 1, 2013 - August 1, 2013 (Center City PCS - Capitol Hill Campus); and 2003-2004 (Bruce Monroe Elementary School). Created and implemented a visual arts lesson plan for summer program, specific to 5th - 8th grade students of varying backgrounds and abilities. Students gained knowledge and dexterity in specific forms of visual arts, including abstract painting.


SUBSTITUTE TEACHER. Mundo Verde Public Charter Schools, Washington, DC. December 2013 - 2014. Managed and co-managed select classrooms; provided instructions according to prepared lesson plans; ensure classroom environment that promoted active learning while working with students to reinforce learning objectives as defined by the school; and performed other assigned duties.


AFFILIATED TEACHING ARTIST. Young Playwrights' Theatre (YPT), Washington, DC. October 2012 - May 2013.Planned and presented visual arts classes for first and second grade students of varying backgrounds and abilities , integrating literacy fundamentals within the context of the classroom instruction; created a safe, structured, and positive environment for each student; established my own classroom rules for each student to follow; and prepared and disseminated a weekly report for the Program Manager, Laurie Ascoli.


PAST VISUAL ART WORKSHOPS 


Kuumba Arts and Crafts Program (1995-1998). D.C. Department of Recreation (Emery Recreation Center, Parkview Recreation Center, Hamilton Recreation Center and Upshur Recreation Center) from 1997 - 1998 and A - T Seban Mesut (1995- 1998). Sponsored by Ms. Afrika Abney and funded by the D.C. Commission of the Arts, Arts Education Grant Program


Kuumba Expressions Visual Art Workshops (2015 and 2016).Culture Coffee on January 31, 2015 and Potter's House on May 16, 2016 and May 23, 2016. Sponsored by Culture Coffee, Potter's House and Esther Productions, Inc Art Enablers.


COMMUNITY CAREER DAY VISUAL ART WORKSHOPS


2016. Eliot  (invited by Ms. Ophelia Morgan).


1996. Calvin Coolidge High School (invited by Ms. Angela Cook)


EDUCATION


​Bell Multicultural High School - 1993

Corcoran School of the Arts - 1997 

"There is no mystery as to the talent, energy and spirit that Ms Afrika Abney brings to a very diverse community. Her artistic skills are enhanced by her ability to organize such a community. Ms Abney is a motivator, innovator and an inspiration that would make any organization, institution be proud to have you on its staff."- J'Huti Ta Seti, Speech Pathologist/Educator"


"It has been such a long time. I am happy to know that you remain passionate and invested in art and art education!" - Jorge Somarriba, Former Art Teacher at Bell Multicultural High School


"If developing a career path is any evidence, native Washingtonian Afrika Abney is a woman who knows what she wants and goes for it." - Jennifer Lash, Journalist


"I thought that your work had the right balance of form/no form to engage the imagination. They looked fluid, like they had movement." - Dr. Trent Tucker


" My initial feeling viewing your art is breathtaking art with dynamic colors. Since your art are of abstract expressionist elements, I can interpret the subject in context of personal experience or can reconsider the subject of the canvas from an alternate visual perspective than usual similar to learning a language with alternate ways to express a concept; visual elements on your canvas can have a power like an echo that moves on textural planes color fields, or be resonant and penetrating to view because they are relative and interdependent." - Renee Winfield, Graphic Designer


"Your work is powerful." - Marilyn Hayes, Women Caucus of the Arts (WCA/DC)


"Wow! So much emotion goes into your artwork." - Paula Bannerman, Artist


"I feel your art as being soft and strong, your colors and patterns pleasant, warm and inviting." - A. Theresa Bragg, Public Relations Director, Phish Tea Cafe


"She uses layers of swirls and strokes to capture sky scenes with a palette of blue, green and magenta. Each of these breathtaking paintings has solid, rotund, sculptural forms unfolding in a majestic symphony." - Misty Brown, Arts Critic


"I love colors. I think colors are striking. The contrast of her usage of colors is remarkable. I love the way she paints. I feel a lot of emotions when I look at her work." - Jennifer Hardy, Collector


"I love it when an artist is not afraid of color. Your art is fabulous." - Jennifer Golden, Artist


"From October 2012 -May 2013, Afrika Abney worked for Young Playwrights' Theatre (YPT) as an after-school visual arts teaching artist from at Harriet Tubman Elementary School. During this time, she has proven herself to be a loyal employee and a gifted teaching artist. Her presence in the classroom is strong, and her genuine caring for her students is obvious. She shows a clear understanding of the importance of arts education. She is also timely, hardworking and professional." - Laurie Ascoli


​"Afrika Abney was employed by Young Playwrights' Theater (YPT) from October 2012 - May 2013, when I was YPT's Artistic Director. Ms. Abney was placed at Harriet Tubman Elementary School, teaching visual arts to very young students. This was a pilot program, and Ms. Abney proved her skills especially in working with this age group. She was always professional and completed the residency to our satisfaction. "- Nicole Jost ​


​"My grandkids had a wonderful time at the Kuumba Expressions Workshop. They were engaged the entire time. The workshop was therapeutic, relaxing (my grandson on a normal day cannot be still for 10 mins) and amazingly educational. Ms. Abney gave them Art History lessons as she had them to ​explore various styles of art. She pointed out similarities of the kids work with those of famous artists such as Romare Bearden, Pablo Picasso, Lee, Lois M. Jones, Elizabeth Catlette and others. She exposed them to lines, shapes, brushes. She is so talented and knowledgeable about her craft. The other children there also had a great time and they were all proud of their work. She even had them display their works in the Art Gallery where they discussed their pieces and thoughts behind their creativeness. My grandchildren want to be back again. Thank you Ms. Abney for bringing out the creativity in children who had no idea they have gifts of expression. "- Roxanne Richardson, January 31, 2015


​"I thought the event went very well. It was organized and you kept the children engaged. " - Saundrell Stevens, Co Owner of Culture Coffee, January 31, 2015


​"In 2016, we helped Ms. Afrika Abney present her art workshops entitled: Kuumba ​Expressions. She has demonstrated herself as a natural teacher and a talented professional artist. We at Esther Productions Inc. recommend her highly. " - Esther Productions, Inc