The following below press releases were written and prepared by Ms. Afrika Abney.

James McLaugin Memorial Staff Show pRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Washington, DC- Ms. Afrika Abney will be participating in the James McLaugin Memorial Staff Show which held at the Phillips Collection in 2000.

"For more than 25 years, The Phillips Collection has held a staff show to feature the works of artists employed at the museum. In 1984, the staff show was endowed by the family of James McLaughlin, an accomplished still-life painter who worked at the museum for 50 years. In 1932, McLaughlin began his association with Duncan Phillips as a student at the Phillips Gallery Art School. Until his death in 1982, McLaughlin played an active role in the museum’s activities as a gallery preparator and curator who hired art students as museum guards."

"The Phillips Collection is an art museum founded by Duncan Phillips and Marjorie Acker Phillips in 1921 as the Phillips Memorial Gallery located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Phillips was the grandson of James H. Laughlin, a banker and co-founder of the Jones and Laughlin Steel Company."

Ms. Afrika Abney is an alumnus of the prestigious Corcoran School of Art. She is an accomplished professional visual artist and is influenced by such artists as Jorge Somarriba, Marvin Sin, Lois M. Jones, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, and Sam Gilliam.

Ms. Abney has donated, given away and sold many of her paintings and collages for over 20 years. Ms. Abney studied visual art at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, Corcoran School of the Art (1980s and from 1993 - 1997) and Bell Multicultural High School (1991-1993). Her art teacher at Bell (1991 - 1993) was Mr. Jorge Somarriba.

​Ms. Abney has been nominated for a variety of awards including the 2001 Mayor's Arts Award in the category of Outstanding Emerging Artist. She also has been the recipient of multiple grants from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and participated in the Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's Congressional Art Competition in 1992 and 1993.

She has exhibited widely throughout the East Coast at such places as Emma Mae Gallery (Washington, DC), The New Harlem Gallery (New York City, New York), Wisteria ArtSpace (New York City, New York), Corcoran Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), Market 5 Gallery (Washington, DC), The Phillips Collection (Washington, DC), Dupont Society (Washington, DC), Phish Tea Cafe (Washington, DC), Moca DC (Washington, DC), Ellington's on Eighth (Washington, DC), and El Tamarindo Restaurant (Washington, DC) just to name a few.

For more than 15 years, Ms. Abney has used her talent and skills not only create vibrant paintings but also to grow the visual arts community by training youth and adults. Additionally, she has designed, produced, and implemented, visual art workshops at several private schools and government agencies, including the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation. ​

EMMA MAE GALLERY OPENS NOVEMBER 20, 2004 PRESS RELEASE

November 21, 2004

For Immediate Release

Contact: Sandra Butler - Truesdale

202-667-0634

EMMA MAE GALLERY OPENS

(Washington, DC) - EMMA MAE GALLERY is founded by Sandra Butler - Truesdale and presents Historical Photos, Prints, Posters, Paintings & Gift Items. It opened on Saturday, November 20, 2004 and is located at 1515 U Street, NW in Washington, DC. For further information call 202-667-0634

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​On view there are works by Sandra Butler - Truesdale, John Zaire El-Badr, Afrika Abney and many others.

The Emma Mae Gallery is dedicated to the memory of Ms. Butler - Truesdale's mother, Emma Mae Butler Dorsey. The gallery features the History of Rhythm, Blues, Jazz & Gospel in B&W photos, as well as the History of the Civil Rights Movement, Women's Rights and Old Washington, DC.

The Emma Mae Gallery is currently located in the historical Frank D. Reeves Center located at 2000 14th St., NW, 1st flr. at 14th & U Sts., NW You may call 202-246-6300 for an appoint to view the historical works.

Solo Artist Exhibition press release

For Immediate Release

(Washington, DC) - Ms. Afrika Abney exhibits her artwork at Norton Kirby Advertising from May 1, 2005 - May 31, 2005.

Ms. Afrika Abney is an alumnus of the prestigious Corcoran School of Art. She is an accomplished professional visual artist and is influenced by such artists as Jorge Somarriba, Marvin Sin, Lois M. Jones, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, and Sam Gilliam.

Ms. Abney has donated, given away and sold many of her paintings and collages for over 20 years. Ms. Abney studied visual art at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, Corcoran School of the Art (1980s and from 1993 - 1997) and Bell Multicultural High School (1991-1993). Her art teacher at Bell (1991 - 1993) was Mr. Jorge Somarriba.

​Ms. Abney has been nominated for a variety of awards including the 2001 Mayor's Arts Award in the category of Outstanding Emerging Artist. She also has been the recipient of multiple grants from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and participated in the Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's Congressional Art Competition in 1992 and 1993.

She has exhibited widely throughout the East Coast at such places as Emma Mae Gallery (Washington, DC), The New Harlem Gallery (New York City, New York), Wisteria ArtSpace (New York City, New York), Corcoran Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), Market 5 Gallery (Washington, DC), The Phillips Collection (Washington, DC), Dupont Society (Washington, DC), Phish Tea Cafe (Washington, DC), Moca DC (Washington, DC), Ellington's on Eighth (Washington, DC), and El Tamarindo Restaurant (Washington, DC) just to name a few.

For more than 15 years, Ms. Abney has used her talent and skills not only create vibrant paintings but also to grow the visual arts community by training youth and adults. Additionally, she has designed, produced, and implemented, visual art workshops at several private schools and government agencies, including the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation. ​

Sunday, May 1, 2005 - Tuesday, May 31,2005

Opening Reception: May 1, 2005 , 6pm

Closing Reception: May 27, 2005, 6pm

Hrs. Monday - Friday, 10am - 8pm

Weekends by appointment only!!!!!

Norton Kirby Advertising

2410 18th St NW

Washington, DC

MOCA DC PRESENTS ABSTRACT ART FROM FEBRUARY 3, 2006 - FEBRUARY 24, 2006 PRESS RELEASE

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For Immediate Release

Contact: David Quammen at

MOCA DC

1054 31st Street NW

Washington, DC 20007

202 342-6230

figuremodel@verizon.net

www.mocadc.org

Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 1pm to 6pm

MOCA DC Presents Abstract Art from February 3, 2006 - February 24, 2006MOCA DC is a non-profit gallery, whose name derives from the Museum of Contemporary Art, features "new art," avant-garde, multimedia, experimental, and non-traditional work. It is located in the Canal Square courtyard in Washington, DC.MOCA DC presents Abstract Art is an exhibition that runs from February 3, 2006 - February 24, 2006 at Moca DC located at 1054 31st St NW in Washington, DC.

The exhibition will consist of drawing, painting, charcoal, photography, computer generated and sculpture, and must include a paragraph about the work. The opening reception will take place on Friday, February 3, 2006, 2006 from 6 to 9 pm, and closing reception will take place on Friday, February 24, 2006 from 6 to 9 pm. This exhibition is free and open to the public.

Erotic Showing Up in Anacostia - Six Artists' Interpretation from March 12, 2010 - April 4, 2010 Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Erotic Showing Up in Anacostia - Six Artists' Interpretation

Exhibitions Open Friday, March 12, 2010, 6pm in Anacostia

Washington, DC - Come and discover art in Anacostia this Spring! Opening on Friday, March 12th, at the Anacostia Art Gallery will be the opening art exhibit and reception for You Still Excite Me, a Sensuous Art Showing (Barry Blackmon, Curator) featuring various mediums from fine artists: Larry Poncho Brown, Francine Haskins, Michelle Foster Lucas, Adrienne Mills, Hampton R. Olfus and Greg Paige. Come taste "Divinely Decadent Desserts" by Owner/Pastry Chef Carlynn Fuller; "Devine Chocolates" from Ghana and exotic Caribbean liqueurs for your tasting. The Exhibit goes through to April 4th. The Gallery is OPEN to ALL - Thursday-Sunday 11am-7pm!

The Anacostia Art Gallery & Boutique - 2806 Bruce Place SE, Washington, DC 20002 - features two floors of the best collection of fine art, African artifacts, unique clothing, jewelry & accessories, ethnic home décor, crafts, books and black memorabilia from over 30 artists from here and around the world. Many events are scheduled for the 2010 season starting with the 4th Annual Grand OPEN House & Marketplace, April 23-24, 2010 which will feature, vendors, food, entertainment and children's' activities.