Written by | Ray Cornelius
Atlanta welcomed NYC’s Harlem Fine Art Show (HFAS) with open arms this weekend. The three-day event, held in conjunction with the National Black Arts Festival, took center stage in the atrium of the historic 200 Peachtree Building. This inaugural show featured some of the ATL’s finest including Kevin O’Keith, Reginald Laurent and September Gray.
The show kicked off with a VIP Reception on Thursday evening where figurative expressionist Louis Delsarte received The Visual Arts Award. It’s given annually to an individual whose work has positively impacted communities through public art, community partnerships and philanthropic service to others. He also picked up Atlanta’s coveted Phoenix Award, which is the city’s highest honor.
“Louis Delsarte is an influential artist and humanitarian within the arts community and while his work beautifully portrays the African American experience, its universal themes appeal to all races and cultures,” explains Dion Clarke, founder of the Harlem Fine Arts Show. As a painter, muralist, teacher and humanitarian, Delsarte is extremely deserving of our 2014 Visual Arts Award.”
Other honorees included Wells Fargo Senior VP, Candy Moore, who received the Arts & Economics Award, The Atlanta Music Cares Project for its contribution to arts and education and The Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery for their outstanding work with the Shepard Center’s Project SHARE, art therapy for Spinal Cord Recovery.
The evening was hosted by WXIA’s Demarco Morgan, Frank Wiley of CBS 46 and Debb Moore of Jazz 91.9 WCLK. Musical entertainment was provided by Anonymous Da Band.
Check out a few pics below:
Art patrons enjoying the beautiful sights
Anonymous Da Band provided cool sounds
Living Dolls by Phyllis Stephens
Charley Palmer originals
Hosts Demarco Morgan from WXIA and WCLK’s 91.9’s Debb Moore
Harlem Fine Arts Show founder Dion Clarke and Atlanta rep, Kyion Williams
Co-hosts, Debb Moore and Frank Wiley
Atlanta Music Cares Project’s Dantes Rameau & Aisha Bowden
Delsarte holding Phoenix Award with his family
Waterkoulors Fine Art
HFAS Atlanta Honorary Chairs – Erwin Carter, Charmaine Ward and Fulton County Chairman John Eaves
“Friends” by Nnamdi Okonowo
Photo Credit: Megan Alodie for RayCorenelius.com