Some artwork that Ms. Afrika Abney created while she was an art student at various art insitutions from 1991 - 1997.
She has thrown away and donated some of these pieces shown in this slideshow.
"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
"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
"Art is an important expression of life that documents the thoughts, experiences, and traditions of an individual. Art is the power to create a specific piece using various materials heightened by tone, volume, depth, and definition. Art is the tool for healing the mind, body and spirit. Art is the beauty of the human eye.
Art comes naturally to me." - Afrika Abney
1992 - 1993. Participated in the Congresswoman's Art Competition.
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
• "Visions." Ellingtons on 8th, Washington, D.C. May 31 - June 28, 2006.Curated by Prelli Anthony Williams. Reception, May 31, 2006 from 6-8pm and Closing Reception, June 28, 2006
• "The Power Within." El Tamarindo, Washington, D.C. July 1 - 31, 2006. Curated by D.Edward Dyer, President of Art N Deed, LLC.
• "Images of Life." Phish Tea Cafe, Washington, D.C. July 31, 2005 - September 2005
• Norton Kirby Advertising, Washington, D.C. 2005
• "Heritage Collections." Emma Mae Gallery, Washington, DC. 2005-2004
•"James McLaugin Memorial Staff Show." Phillips Collection, Washington, DC. 2000
•New Horizons Presents Tomorrow's World Art Center. "Celebrating Our Heritage Through The Arts." Atrium Gallery One, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC. 1999
•"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
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.
Ms. Abney uses her formal training in the visual arts to provide services as a consultant for many individuals, organizations and community members.Some of them include New Harlem Gallery,Wisteria ArtSpace, Emma Mae Gallery,Phillips Collection,The Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Anacostia Art Gallery and Boutique and Esther Productions, Inc.
She has received numerous grants from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Ms. Abney has been nominated several times for a “Mayor’s Arts Award.”
Her abstract paintings and collages have been exhibited widely across the East Coast, including at 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) and Dupont Society (Washington, DC). Some of Ms. Abney’s art collectors include: Renee Winfield and Esther Productions, Inc.
She provided numerous services for many events. Some of the events that she promoted include Annual BZB Gift and Art Show, National Daddy Daughter Reunion Tour, Building Families in the 21st Century, The Gift, Daughters Speak Out, Sip, Paint and Reflect, PaintSpiration: Reflect and Paint!, Spring Cleaning: Mind, Body and Spirit, The Fatherless Daughters Speak Out, Esther Productions, Inc Butterfly Series, Inside Job: The Art of Personal Essay Writing (Workshop for Teens), Inside Job: The Art of Personal Essay Writing (Workshop Sequel for Teens), Reconciliation Week, Joy Jones' Double Dutch, Writing Institute for Teens, Teens Authors Talk, Understanding and Overcoming Fatherless Daughter Syndrome, The Power of Poetry in You, Women Are Poetry in Motion Every Day in Every Way, Kaleidoscope: A Writing Club, Winners Circle, Soaring Sisters Circle, Me, Myself and Our Story: The Art of the Personal Essay, A Writing Workshop for Girls,Me, Myself and Our Story: The Art of Memoir, Part 1, Discovering Me...Without You: An Annual Personal Essay Contest,and African Americans and Children's Literature: A Symposium and Exhibition.
Ms. Abney has exhibited several of her abstract paintings during the virtual art exhibition and poetry reading that took place on February 19, 2023 and had some of her art exhibited during the National Daughter Daddy Tour which took place at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C from 2004 - 2006. On August 13, 2022, Ms. Abney donated several abstract collages and paintings to Esther Productions, Inc.
Additionally, Esther Productions, Inc purchased one of Ms. Abney's abstract paintings on June 23, 2023 and on December 3, 2023, Esther Productions, Inc purchased two abstract paintings created by Ms. Abney.
She provides services for Esther Productions, Inc's upcoming events. Ms. Abney also is currently working on branding her overall background as a consultant using creative strategies.
Ms. Abney is also working on creating new collages and paintings.
She specializes in creating abstract collages, paintings, original greeting cards, and photography.
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