"Grass Roots: African Origins of an American Art" opens Nov. 11 at Southeastern Centre Gallery

Press Release Date: 10-29-2009

DURANT, Okla. – "Grass Roots: African Origins of an American Art," opens Nov. 11 and continues through Dec. 12 at Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Centre Gallery.

This exhibition traces the histories of coiled basketry in Africa and America and explores the evolution of an ancient art. Featuring baskets from South Carolina and Georgia as well as from diverse regions of Africa, the exhibition traces the story of coiled basketry.

Visitors to the Centre Gallery will experience diverse artifacts, including baskets, basket-making tools and historic rice cultivation artifacts.

The Centre Gallery is located at 1614 N. 1st Avenue. Admittance is free and gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding Southeastern holidays.

There will be a special opening celebration on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 5-7 p.m., entitled, "A Night with the People, Sounds, and Art of Africa." This extravaganza, sponsored by the Office of Student Life and funded in part by a Cultural and Scholastic Lectureship Grant, will feature music by native African ensemble "Afrika Rhythms." There will also be presentations by Southeastern students who traveled to Africa last summer.

In addition, a free basket-making demonstration and class for children and adults is planned for Saturday, Nov. 14, from 1-4 p.m. Contact Dr. Gleny Beach, 580-745-2352, for more information about the exhibit or the special events.

The exhibition has been made possible by NEH on the Road, a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.