"Influence of the African Connection" Art Exhibition | Opening Reception ft. John Abner

Influences are cornerstone's in motivation and navigate our productivity. It guides our interests and provides a meaningful foundation to build and stimulate our creativity. It plays an important part in understanding historical origins and nurtures a heroic admiration by artists since the beginning of cave paintings. Ultra Silk Gallery introduces John Abner, an artist that mirrors these qualities and expresses the impact of African history, heroism, and the influence of our past. "Influence of the African Connection" Art Exhibit Opening Reception featuring works from John Abner will be held on Second Friday, May 12th, 2023 from 5PM-8PM at Ultra Silk Gallery (3808 Lancaster Avenue Philadelphia PA 19104). Preview will be available when doors open at 12PM. Exhibit will be open for viewing during business hours until Sunday, June 4th 2023. For info, questions or inquiries please contact us at 215-824-6556.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Curator John Abner is a human rights and civil rights activist working in Philadelphia Pa. He is a graduate Tyler School of Art, Temple University, where he studied graphic design and earned a BFA in painting and art history with emphasis on American photography. He is a former special education teacher and teaching artist in Philadelphia. He has coordinated several projects with the Mural Arts program in Philadelphia and has exhibited his artwork in juried shows locally and nationally. John has coordinated several special outreach programs to inmates at the Camden County Correctional Facility (Camden NJ) and Holmesburg Prison ( PA). His community commitment has included acting as art instructor and mentor to teenaged boys at the Southwest Community Enrichment Center, a noN-profit facitily which promotes broad familiarity with the arts in underserved community settings. He is the recipient of the International Award for Excellence in Mixed Media from the Balch Institute For Ethnic Studies in Philadelphia PA. He received the Critics Choice Award from Intermedia Arts Gallery, Minneapolis, MN. His activism has also included published photographic material in service of political commentary. Publications include, Roll Call: A generational Anthology of Black Literature by Third World Press. In Defense of Mumia: an anthology published by Writers and Readers Publishers,Inc. His artwork was selected for publication in the Patterson Literary Review Pattererson (NJ).

ABOUT THE GALLERY:

Ultra Silk is a concept of maximized quality, artistry, and visual beauty. These characteristics are infused in our choice of products that enhance the environment and elevate your living space. World Art, Artifacts, Exotic Furnishings, & Home Décor items are on display in our gallery setting.

Ultra Silk also includes opportunities to explore historical and conceptual expressions in each piece displayed. We promote these concepts through gallery presentations, book events, multicultural music and other social events coordinated to expand publicity and neighborhood outreach. Our interactive "Learning Gallery" series features in-depth information on particular antiquities in our catalog.

We hope Ultra Silk Gallery will empower the community at large by representing innovative, high-quality representations of home décor items that are both practical and uniquely stated. We feel that developing a discerning eye for refined objects stemming from art will evolve into an appreciation of environmental alternatives.