As part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Bronx Zoo’s Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit, the Wildlife Conservation Society – the zoo’s parent organization – is hosting ten days of craft-making workshops in collaboration with the Museum for African Art.
The workshops, which will take place at the Bronx Zoo’s Dancing Crane Plaza, are based on artistic traditions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Central Africa. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the Democratic Republic of the Congo from teaching artists while participating in the arts of mask making, basket making, gourd adornment and beading. These programs will inspire children and their families, through the art that they create and the knowledge they gain in the process.
Workshops will take place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturday to July 18. The scheduled times for each 20-minute workshop are: 11 and 11:40 a.m., 1, 1:40, 2:20, 3 and 3:40 p.m.
July 3, 4: Gourd Adornment. Lia M. Ri’ Chard, an art decorator who specializes in Congolese symbols, will conduct a workshop on gourd adornment where participants will learn traditional patterns and their significance.
July 10, 11: Beads and Adornment. Lukabu Ntumba, a Congolese designer, will conduct a workshop that merges Congolese patterns into fashion by combining colorful beads, raffia, strings and modern fabrics.
Since 1984, the Museum for African Art has been unwavering in its commitment to present African art, both classic and contemporary, to the world. In the last quarter of a century, the Museum has organized nearly 60 exhibitions and published as many catalogues, traveled exhibitions to almost 120 museums internationally, and worked with renowned scholars to present a holistic interpretation of African art and culture. Our exhibitions have earned critical acclaim for their ideas, their beauty, and their original presentation. As construction continues on our new building on Museum Mile, we look forward to welcoming you in the fall of 2010.
For additional information all (718) 784-7700.
