Ashé Cultural Arts Center presents the 4th Annual Redd Linen Night 2015 A Visual Arts Fundraiser with a Twist

New Orleans, LA - Ashé Cultural Arts Center (Ashé) is delighted to announce the fourth annual Redd Linen Night. Our 2015 event is curated by Charlie T. Johnson, Jr. This fabulous event takes place on Saturday, March 28, 2015, from 6-10 p.m., at the center at 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard in New Orleans. It will be a night of extraordinary art and magnificent performances.

Look forward to seeing the work of artists Ed Brown, Myesha Francis Agwe, Elise Bellard-Russell, Amy Bryan Rickey Henry, Henry Jones, Richard Keller, Mr. Natescott, Cecelia Pedescleaux, Alma Bryan Powell, and a surprise finale. Contributions toward the performing segments will come from Kai Knight & the Silhouette Dancers, Asia Rainey, and a developing list that will continue to grow.

Ashé, established in December of 1998, was born from a collaboration between Douglas Redd (1947-2007) and Carol Bebelle, a visual artist and a writer/consultant, respectfully, who brought to life a place where culture now lives. An initiative of Efforts of Grace, Inc., Ashé uses art and culture to support community development. It is a non profit 501(c)(3), that creates and supports programs, activities, and creative works emphasizing the contributions of people of African descent. Located in Central City, the Center provides opportunities for art presentations, community development, artist support, great performances, and the creation of partnerships that amplify outreach and support efforts.

In the Big Easy, "linen night" has become synonymous with art showings, particularly in the French Quarter and the Arts/Warehouse District. The Oretha Castle Haley corridor and Redd Linen Night have joined them, showcasing home-grown visual artists, but with a twist. Featuring prominent and emerging artists who were mentors, mentees, contemporaries or protégés of Ashé's cofounder Redd, this affair is more than just an art exhibit. It is unique in that each visual artist will present a piece of work that will be paired with stunning live, performance art, using music, dance, theater, and more.

This fundraiser is a celebration of Redd's life and visual art work, which has been described as the pivotal graphic influence for many of the African, African American and Caribbean programs and events held in New Orleans as far back as 1970s. As such, this accomplished graphic artist, sculptor, print maker and jeweler, would have wanted to see his ultimate work, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, sustained.

Add to the excitement. Wear something red!

ABOUT THE CURATOR
Mr. Charlie T. Johnson Jr., is Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at Southern University in New Orleans. He received an M.F.A. from the University of New Orleans, and teaches a variety of educational foundation, art methods and technology courses. Currently, he is enrolled in a Ph.D. program at the University of Wyoming in Instructional Technology.

He is also president of the National Conference of Artists New Orleans Chapter, for which he spearheads its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art Exhibit.

TICKETS: Tickets are available at Ashé Cultural Arts Center or online at http://bit.ly/ReddLinenNight2014.
Ages 13 and over: $35 or $30 for 2-fors. | Groups of 10: $250 | Ages 7-12: $15. | Ages 6 and under: FREE

For more information, photographs or to schedule an interview, call Viola T. Johnson Blunt at (504) 813-9008.