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Art Of The African Diaspora

AOTAD Art Of The African Diaspora 2027 logo. Organization image.

Art Of The African Diaspora

In its 30th year, Art of the African Diaspora is the longest running event of its kind in the Bay Area. AOTAD celebrates and supports the creative achievements of hundreds of artists of African descent through representation, professional development and building a creative community.

This year, over 120 artists will showcase their work at the Richmond Art Center January – March, open studios and at satellite exhibitions in over forty different venues across the Bay Area.

Art of the African Diaspora originated from a salon for African American artists known as Colors of Black that was organized in 1989 by artist and professor Marie Johnson Calloway. In 1996, artists Jan Hart-Schuyers and Rae Louise Hayward, influenced by Calloway, established the exhibition The Art of Living Black at the Richmond Art Center. After the deaths of Hart-Schuyers and Hayward, organizing efforts were carried on for many years by their families. Today, with a new name to reflect a new era, Art of the African Diaspora is organized by a steering committee of participating artists.

Source: AOTAD.ORG

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Type: Association/Club/Group ; History/Heritage

PHOTOS

AOTAD at the Art Passages reception at the County Administration Building in Martinez with Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston and ARTSCCC staff. ARTSCCC photo.

AOTAD at the Art Passages reception at the County Administration Building in Martinez with Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston and ARTSCCC staff. ARTSCCC photo.
Artwork by Lawrence Buford at an Art Passages Exhibit at the County Administration Building in Martinez, CA. Photo by ARTSCCC.
Artists Lawrence Buford and Malcom Ryder observing artwork by Lawrence Buford at an Art Passages Exhibit at the County Administration Building in Martinez, CA. Photo by ARTSCCC.
Artist Saida Adias of Art of the African Diaspora at an Art Passages Exhibit featuring AOTAD at the County Administration Building in Martinez, CA. ARTSCCC photo.
Artwork by Malcom Ryder at an Art Passages Exhibit featuring Art of the African Diaspora at the County Administration Building in Martinez, CA. Photo by ARTSCCC.
"Shilrey Chrisholm" by Lawrence Buford. ARTSCCC photo.
"John Lewis" by Lawrence Buford. ARTSCCC photo.
"Malcolm Face Off" by Lawrence Buford. ARTSCCC photo.
Artists Malcom Ryder and Irene Bee Kain of Art of the African Diaspora with ARTSCCC's Founding Executive Director, Jenny Balisle at an Art Passages Exhibit featuring AOTAD at the County Administration Building in Martinez, CA. ARTSCCC photo.
"Grief" by Lorraine Bonner at the Art of the 2025 African Diaspora exhibit at the Richmond Art Center. ARTSCCC photo.
"Portrait of Lauren Hill" by Brandon Harris at the Art of the 2025 African Diaspora exhibit at the Richmond Art Center. ARTSCCC photo.
"Artists Mobilized Against Covid - Portrait of Ron Moultrie Saunders" by Ajuan Mance at the Art of the 2025 African Diaspora exhibit at the Richmond Art Center. ARTSCCC photo.
"Harriet Take Me Home" by Ozell Hudson Jr at the Art of the 2025 African Diaspora exhibit at the Richmond Art Center. ARTSCCC photo.
"His Hers" by Ashlie Kego at the Art of the 2025 African Diaspora exhibit at the Richmond Art Center. ARTSCCC photo.
Main Gallery at the Art of the 2025 African Diaspora exhibit at the Richmond Art Center. ARTSCCC photo.
"Orisa" by Robert Simmons at the Art of the 2025 African Diaspora exhibit at the Richmond Art Center. ARTSCCC photo.
"3D Mask" by Melanin Buford at the Art of the 2025 African Diaspora exhibit at the Richmond Art Center. ARTSCCC photo.

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