professional visual artist and art consultant
In 2022, Esther Productions, Inc purchased Summer Blossoms (an abstract painting) to use for the book cover of Kaleidoscope.
On August 13, 2022, Ms. Afrika Abney donated several abstract collages and paintings to Esther Productions, Inc.
On June 23, 2023, Esther Productions, Inc purchased one of Ms. Afrika Abney's abstract paintings that she created on March 4, 2023.
On December 3, 2023, Esther Productions, Inc purchased two abstract paintings created by Ms. Afrika Abney.
On August 13, 2022, Ms. Afrika Abney donated several abstract collages and paintings to Esther Productions, Inc.
On June 23, 2023, Esther Productions, Inc purchased one of Ms. Afrika Abney's abstract paintings that she created on March 4, 2023.
On December 3, 2023, Esther Productions, Inc purchased two abstract paintings created by Ms. Afrika Abney.
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. "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 |
"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 |
Created and designed by Ms. Afrika Abney
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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. |
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's past professional visual artist and art consultant services include art workshops, community career day visual art workshops, and photography. Additionally, she provided services for several galleries and museums. Some of them include: The New Harlem Gallery (1992-1993) and the Phillips Collection (2000) and the Anacostia Art Gallery and Boutique from 2010 – 2011.
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. ART CONSULTANT. Anacostia Art Gallery and Boutique. 2010 - 2011. Responsible for promoting several events. GALLERY ASSISTANT. Phillips Collection. 2000. Responsible for monitoring and keeping artwork safe during gallery hours. ART CURATOR. New Harlem Gallery, New York City. 1992 - 1993. Installed art for some of the exhibitions held at the New Harlem Gallery. 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 |
Some of Ms. Afrika Abney's Past Professional Visual Artist Consultant includes:
Dr. Butler-Truesdale is a DC historian and Rhythm and Blues historian. She has worked for several musicians, among them the late Ray Charles and James Brown. She continues to work to document the history of this great music and the musicians of the DMV. Dr. Butler-Truesdale is co-author of the book, Washington DC Jazz."
HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT SUMMER CAMP ACADEMY Higher Achievement is "where talent and opportunity meet to launch lifelong success." Samuel H. Dodson IV "A Father to a wonderfully creative and joyous 4-year-old son. A husband of 14 years to a loving and supportive wife. A lifetime learner an artist, and a teacher of the craft for nearly 20 years. Art is a huge part of my life inside and outside of school, so I feel blessed to be able to share my passion and knowledge with the students here at DCI. Mr. Dodson graduated from Denison University in 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree, and served as a founding member of the teaching staff at Hyde Leadership Public Charter School. After 8 years in the classroom, he took on more leadership opportunities with Higher Achievement as the Ward 6, and Kramer Achievement Centers for 10 years. Now, Mr. Dodson is in his 3rd year at DCI teaching art, and feeling at home in this awesome community." YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS' THEATRE (YPT) Young Playwrights’ Theater (YPT) "inspires young people to realize the power of their own voices. The only professional theater in Washington, DC dedicated entirely to arts education, YPT engages local students in an innovative, standards-based playwriting program then produces the student plays with professional theater artists on stages around the District." - yptdc.org "Laurie helps manage and support teams who work with DC educators, school leaders, community-based and systems-level actors to effectively and equitably engage families in student success. She helps to design, refine and maintain systems and structures to support our teacher, school, and district partnerships to meet the complex ongoing needs of students and families.Laurie believes that improving our society as a whole begins with providing every child with a high-quality education, and that in order to achieve this, a focus on equity is necessary. Prior to joining Flamboyan, Laurie was a Research Assistant with the Neuro-Education Initiative at the Johns Hopkins School of Education. She earned a Master of Education with a concentration in Urban Education from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to graduate school, she spent the first six years of her career as a Program Manager at Young Playwrights’ Theater, a nationally recognized arts education non-profit in Washington, D.C. She has also worked in various capacities with the Kennedy Center, Imagination Stage, Arena Stage, and Roundhouse Theater. Laurie holds B.A.s in English, Theater Arts, and Education from Stonehill College. Laurie lives in Takoma Park, MD with her husband and their cat." "Nicole Jost has been affiliated with Young Playwrights’ Theater since 2002 when she was a sophomore at Wilson High School. In September of 2007 the YPT Wire profiled her work as a college intern, teaching the summer playwriting class at Bell Multicultural High School. This past fall YPT was thrilled to have Nicole join its team as Program Assistant. She works with associate director Patrick Torres to administer YPT’s programs serving over 500 students throughout DC. Nicole’s presence at YPT is a gift," says Patrick Torres. "Not only is she an accomplished writer, director and teacher in her own right, but she also serves as an example to our students of what they could be." Nicole taught during the fall at Plummer Elementary and Capital City Public Charter School. "I’ve been very fortunate to witness playwriting take hold in my students. I’ve seen them completely shift their perception of what writing is," she says. "My students at Plummer Elementary School became really excited every time they got out paper and pen. They took ownership of their work, and found a space for imagination in the medium. It was beautiful." Nicole plans to start her own theater company, where artists will work as an ensemble to create new work. For now, she’s pleased to be back in her hometown of Washington, DC. She recently directed One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest at her alma mater, Wilson High School." GLORIA QUIRARTEEnrichment Program Coordinator, Mundo Verde Public Charter School Gloria Quirarte supervises the implementation of quality enrichment for Before & After School Programs, as well as for school-wide special programming. Prior to Mundo Verde, she worked for five years as Director of Operations at Multicultural Community Services in DC. She was also Executive Assistant to the Director at CentroNía for three years, Project Director at the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, and Program Specialist for Hispanas Unidas in San Antonio Texas. Gloria obtained her master’s in social cultural anthropology from John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and has a bachelor’s in political science from Swarthmore College. Auriela Akpan, DC International School District of Columbia International School is a public charter school in Washington, DC. |
Ms. Afrika Abney attended Bell from 1991-1993. She graduated in 1993 and was 16 at that time. Years later, Ms. Abney donated the painting shown in the above photo. Additionally, she gave away the clothing articles and jewelry shown in the photo above.
Ms. Abney's art teacher when she was a student was Mr. Jorge Somarriba. |
Ms. Afrika Abney attended Corcoran from 1993-1997. She graduated in 1997. Years later, Ms. Abney donated the charcoal drawing shown in the above photo. Additionally, she gave away the clothing articles and jewelry shown in the photo above.
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