Kuumba Expressions

Kuumba Expressions was one of the sponsors for the Gift which took place at New York Presbyterian Church on October 21, 2017. Additionally, Kuumba Expressions did the Kids Corner for the Gift held on October 20, 2015 at Frank Reeves Municipal Center. Kuumba Expressions also sponsored Building Families in the 21st Century which took place in 2016. 

"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

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"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

Ms. Abney conducted visual art workshops entitled: Kuumba Expressions that took place at Culture Coffee on January 31, 2015 and Potter's House on May 16, 2016 and May 23, 2016. They were sponsored by Culture Coffee, Potter's House and Esther Productions, Inc Art Enablers. Information about the workshops was sent via email and posted on social media. Additionally, flyers were circulated and created to promote the workshops.

In 2015, she spoke with Ms. Saundrell Stevens about her interest in conducting a visual arts workshop at Culture Coffee. In 2016, Ms. Abney spoke with Mr. Tim Kumfner and Ms. Susanna Bean about conducting a visual arts workshop at Potter's House.

Mission

Kuumba Expressions is created by Ms. Afrika Abney and designed to continue the mission of offering services to a broader group of young people in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan region. The art workshops are available to various institutions including schools. The art workshops in the past helped young people have a stronger understanding and appreciation for the arts. These art workshops have also helped to improve their academic achievement.

​Visual art workshops were designed to serve youth between the ages of 6 through 12, including those with developmental disabilities. Participants were provided instruction in painting, using traditional and non-traditional materials, with the intent of enhancing their own natural artistic talent while expanding their fundamental information about compositional studies, light and shadow, and technique. Further, the workshop augments participants' overall education, particularly their communication skills. Additionally, participants were introduced to many renaissance artists. Some of them include Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Polluck and Lois M. Jones.

However, during her workshops, Ms. Abney allowed several younger children to participate.

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Goals:

• Ensure workshop participants know the primary colors and learn how to blend them together to create secondary wheel of colors.

• Understand basic materials for painting including brushes, papers, and canvases.

• Learn how to manipulate such non traditional materials as sponges, twigs, dies, and sticks.

• Know and understand basic compositional studies.
  
  

Culture Coffee Too was originally located on Kennedy Street NW.

"We are a diverse coffee shop, art gallery, live performance venue, and event space, with a mission to bring delicious coffee, and diverse culture."

Potter's House, DC

"The Potter's House is a nonprofit bookstore, café, and event space in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC. "

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Esther Productions, Inc Art Enablers

Esther Productions, Inc. is dedicated to using a variety of vehicles-traditional and nontraditional-to develop communities throughout the United States and Europe. It was created in 2004 by Jonetta Rose Barras, award-winning journalist and author of Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl? For more information about Esther Productions, Inc, please visit estherproductionsinc.com.

"Esther Productions Inc Art Enablers believe the arts are critical to individual and communal development. They nurture the soul and stimulate the mind. They also can be key economic drivers, bringing material and spiritual wealth to suffering or underserved communities. Since its inception, Esther Productions Inc. has either produced or sponsored programs in the visual, literary and performing arts.

Art Enablers workshops often are led by professional artists. Genre specific instruction is provided in an intimate environment. The goal is to create a new crop of talented artists who can revitalize select genres. The performances and special events Esther Productions Inc. sponsors are designed to expand the audience for the arts while building a continuing cadre of advocates and financial supporters.

All programs are presented in partnership with other organizations and companies."

​This was one of the programs that Esther Productions Inc presented to the public in the past.

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