Skip to main content

ExperienceEssence

 

Ms. Afrika Abney is a professional visual artist and art consultant, bringing over three decades of extensive experience to her field. Her career is marked by a robust foundation in arts education, which has enabled her to effectively manage a variety of art events and workshops. With a demonstrated ability to curate art exhibitions, she has also excelled in social media marketing and graphic design, showcasing her versatility and creativity. Ms. Abney's technical skills encompass a strong command of Microsoft Word, Publisher, and Excel, alongside her adeptness in gallery operations and the distribution of promotional materials.


Throughout her career, Ms. Abney has dedicated herself to providing visual arts education to students from diverse backgrounds and skill levels. Her commitment to fostering artistic talent is evident in her extensive experience conducting visual art workshops and her involvement in numerous arts and crafts initiatives. She is a graduate of the Corcoran School of the Arts, and since 1981, she has been an active participant in the arts community, contributing her knowledge and expertise to various projects and programs aimed at enhancing artistic expression.


In addition to her extensive experience, Ms. Abney possesses a range of specialized skills that further enhance her artistic practice. She is proficient in various digital painting software, including Paintapp, FreshPaint, and Medibang, which allows her to create captivating abstract works. Her strong understanding of color theory and composition enables her to translate intricate concepts into visually compelling abstract pieces. With a keen attention to detail and precision, Ms. Abney excels in creating abstract digital paintings, collages, and traditional artworks on canvas and paper, solidifying her reputation as a talented and innovative visual artist.


In her professional roles, Ms. Abney has guided clients in art acquisition, curated exhibitions, managed gallery operations, and conducted visual arts classes. She has also secured grant proposals for arts events, collaborated with galleries and artists, and executed marketing projects. Additionally, she has worked as an arts specialist, substitute teacher, summer camp art teacher, affiliated teaching artist, gallery assistant, and art curator.


Ms. Abney has organized past visual art workshops, including the Kuumba Arts and Crafts Program (1995 - 1998) and Kuumba Expressions in Washington, DC (Culture Coffee Too in 2015 and Potter’s House in 2016). These workshops were designed to enhance artistic skills and foster creativity in children and youth, including those with developmental disabilities. She has also led visual art workshops at various schools as part of community career days, engaging students in discussions about visual arts careers.


Overall, Ms. Afrika Abney's dedication to art education, extensive experience in the field, and versatile skill set make her a talented and innovative visual artist and art consultant. Her commitment to fostering artistic talent and engaging diverse audiences through art initiatives sets her apart in the creative industry.


Currently, Ms. Abney is engaged in providing her expertise to MidnightRose, focusing on branding and digital art projects. 


SELECTED PROFESSIONAL VISUAL ARTIST AND ART CONSULTANT EXPERIENCES

 

Professional Visual Artist and Art Consultant. 1981 - Present. 


  • Guide clients in art acquisition, enhancing collections with expertise in abstract art.

  • Plan and present visual arts classes for diverse student backgrounds and abilities.

  • Curate art exhibitions and manage gallery operations, ensuring high-quality presentations.

  • Execute social media marketing and graphic design projects to promote art events and exhibitions.

  • Secure grant proposals to fund various arts events and workshops, driving community engagement.

  • Partner with galleries and artists to curate exhibitions, fostering community engagement and promoting emerging talent in the visual arts space.


ARTS SPECIALIST. Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC, Washington, D.C. June 20, 2018 - July 25, 2018. 

  • Designed and taught visual arts classes for diverse student groups, fostering a safe and positive learning environment.

  • Prepared and distributed weekly progress reports to Program Manager, ensuring clear communication and accountability.

  • Developed tailored lesson plans to accommodate varying skill levels, enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes.


SUBSTITUTE TEACHER. DC International School, Washington, D.C. 2016 - 2017. Managed classrooms, ensuring active learning and adherence to lesson plans.

  • Adapted quickly to diverse environments, maintaining student engagement.

  • Subbed for Spanish Art Teacher, ensuring continuity of learning objectives.

  • Reinforced learning objectives, promoting a productive classroom atmosphere.


SUMMER ACADEMY CAMP PART- TIME ELECTIVE ART TEACHER. Higher Achievement, Washington, DC - Metro. July 1, 2013 - August 1, 2013 (Center City PCS - Capitol Hill Campus); and 2003-2004 (Bruce Monroe Elementary School). 

  • Developed and executed visual arts curriculum for diverse 5th-8th graders, enhancing artistic skills.

  • Students mastered abstract painting, showing measurable improvement in technique and creativity.

  • Tailored lessons to accommodate varying skill levels, fostering an inclusive learning environment.

  • Implemented hands-on projects that significantly boosted student engagement and participation.


SUBSTITUTE TEACHER. Mundo Verde Public Charter Schools, Washington, DC. December 2013 - 2014. 

  • Managed and co-managed classrooms, delivering prepared lesson plans and fostering active learning.

  • Ensured a positive classroom environment, reinforcing learning objectives effectively.

  • Collaborated with Ms. Gloria Quirarte, substituting seamlessly to maintain educational continuity.

  • Adapted to diverse student needs, enhancing engagement and understanding.

  • Performed additional duties, contributing to the overall success of the educational program.


AFFILIATED TEACHING ARTIST. Young Playwrights' Theatre (YPT), Washington, DC. October 2012 - May 2013.

  • Developed and taught visual arts classes for diverse first and second graders, integrating literacy skills.

  • Created a safe and structured learning environment, fostering positive student interactions.

  • Established classroom rules and managed behavior, ensuring a conducive educational setting.

  • Prepared and submitted weekly progress reports to the Program Manager, enhancing program oversight.


GALLERY ASSISTANT. Phillips Collection, Washington, DC. 2000. 

  • Monitored and secured artworks during gallery hours, ensuring safety and preservation.

  • Implemented safety protocols, reducing incidents of damage or theft.

  • Collaborated with the team to maintain optimal gallery conditions.

  • Utilized keen attention to detail to identify and address potential risks.

  • Contributed to a secure and welcoming environment for visitors.


ART CURATOR. New Harlem Gallery, New York City. 1992 - 1993. Installed art for some of the exhibitions held at the New Harlem Gallery.

  • Curated and installed diverse exhibitions, significantly enhancing visitor engagement.

  • Organized art installations, promoting new artists and increasing gallery attendance.

  • Planned exhibitions with attention to detail, creating compelling narratives.

  • Collaborated with artists to select and arrange artworks, ensuring cohesive displays.


PAST VISUAL ART WORKSHOPS 


KUUMBA ARTS AND CRAFTS PROGRAM. D.C. Department of Recreation (Emery Recreation Center, Parkview Recreation Center, Hamilton Recreation Center and Upshur Recreation Center) from 1997 - 1998 and A - T Seban Mesut (1995- 1998). conducted a free fine arts workshop for children ages 7 — 10. Taught students ages 7 to 10 techniques of drawing, finger painting, sponge painting, abstract design, clay work, collage designing and monoprinting. Sponsored by Ms. Afrika Abney and funded by the D.C. Commission of the Arts, Arts Education Grant Program


KUUMBA EXPRESSIONS, WASHINGTON, DC. Culture Coffee on January 31,2015 and Potter's House on May 16,2016 and May 23, 2016. They were sponsored by Culture Coffee, Potter's House and Esther Productions, Inc Art Enablers. Designed to serve youth between the ages of 6 through 12, including those with developmental disabilities. Participants were provided instruction in painting, using traditional and non-traditional materials, with the intent of enhancing their own natural artistic talent while expanding their fundamental information about compositional studies, light and shadow, and technique. Further, the workshop augments participants’ overall education, particularly their communication skills. Additionally, participants were introduced to many renaissance artists. Some of them include Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Polluck and Lois M. Jones. 


COMMUNITY CAREER DAY VISUAL ART WORKSHOPS


2016. Eliot  (invited by Ms. Ophelia Morgan).


1996. Calvin Coolidge High School (invited by Ms. Angela Cook)


  • Led visual art workshops 

  • Engaged over 200 students in discussing the visual arts career 

  • Collaborated with school principals to tailor workshops to student needs, enhancing learning outcomes.

  • Achieved measurable improvements in student engagement and cultural understanding.
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Contrast Chronicles

Contrast Chronicles. Digital art created on canvas. August 20, 2024. Afrika Abney The essence of my life can be described as a canvas painted in shades of black and white. Through my abstract digital painting, I have chosen to express this dichotomy by focusing solely on these two colors. This choice not only emphasizes the simplicity of the palette but also invites viewers to engage with the complexities that lie within the interplay of light and shadow. In my abstract digital painting, Contrast Chronicles, unfolds through the contrasts of black and white.
Read more

Shades of Purple Horizon

Shades of Purple Horizon. Digital art created on canvas. August 23, 2024. Afrika Abney "If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it." ~ William Arthur Ward
Read more

Gentle Shades

Gentle Shades is a captivating artwork crafted through the use of digital software, employing a rich palette of oil pastels. The composition features a harmonious blend of light blue, turquoise, pale green, and seafoam, which together evoke a sense of tranquility and serenity. The digital medium allows for a unique interplay of colors and textures, enhancing the visual appeal and depth of the piece. Each hue is thoughtfully applied, creating a soothing atmosphere that invites viewers to immerse themselves in its calming essence. The use of pastel colors or gentle shades can also enhance the overall composition, drawing attention to the interplay of shapes and forms while maintaining a delicate balance.
Read more

Dynamic Spectrum

Dynamic Spectrum. Digital art created on canvas. August 19, 2024. Afrika Abney As a passionate digital artist, I specialize in creating abstract paintings that showcase a dynamic range of colors and demonstrate my expertise in manipulating hues. My mission is to push the boundaries of traditional art by harnessing the power of digital tools to create visually stunning pieces that evoke emotion and captivate viewers. When I was a high school student from 1991 - 1993, I did not study digital art. I obtained my high school diploma from Bell Multicultural High School in 1993.
Read more

Cerulean Canvas

  “The color blue in abstract paintings often embodies a range of qualities that evoke various emotional and psychological responses. It is frequently associated with tranquility and calmness, creating a serene atmosphere that invites viewers to reflect and contemplate. The use of blue can also suggest depth and infinity, reminiscent of vast skies and deep oceans, which can lead to a sense of exploration and introspection. Artists may employ different shades of blue to convey distinct moods, from the soft pastels that evoke a gentle, soothing feeling to the bold, vibrant hues that can energize and inspire. In the realm of abstract art, blue serves as a powerful tool for expression, allowing artists to communicate complex ideas and emotions without the constraints of representational forms. The versatility of blue enables it to interact harmoniously with other colors, enhancing the overall composition and creating dynamic contrasts. For instance, when paired with warm colors like or...
Read more

James A. Porter

"James Amos Porter was the first African American art historian. Born on December 22, 1905 in Baltimore, Maryland, he was the son of Lydia and John Porter, a prominent minister in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Porter graduated  cum laude  in 1927 with a Bachelor of Science in art from Howard University. After graduating, he became an instructor of drawing and painting at Howard, teaching for 40 years, during which he was described as a gifted and influential teacher. Porter continued his education at the Art Student League in New York City, New York under Dimitri Romanovsky. Later, he met research librarian Dorothy Burnett in Harlem and married her on December 27, 1929. They had one daughter, Constance Porter. In 1933, Porter, now an artist, received the Schomburg Portrait Prize, from the Harmon Foundation, for his piece “Woman Holding a Jug.” He continued his studies in 1935 after a fellowshi...
Read more

Sacred Spectrum

Sacred Spectrum. Digital art created on canvas. September 21, 2024. Afrika Abney “The concept of a sacred circle within the domain of abstract painting embodies a profound exploration of artistic expression and spiritual significance. This notion suggests a space where creativity transcends the ordinary. In this context, the sacred circle serves as a metaphorical boundary that encapsulates the essence of the creative process, allowing for a unique interplay between form, color, and emotion through red, white, purple, dark green, lavendar, and blue. The interplay of colors evokes a spectrum of emotions, each hue resonating with distinct feelings and associations. Red, often linked to passion and intensity.White, on the other hand, represents purity and peace, offering a sense of calm and clarity. Purple is frequently associated with creativity and spirituality, inviting introspection and deeper thought. Dark green conveys a sense of stability and growth, often linked to nature and renew...
Read more

BoldContrast

BoldContrast.Digital art created on canvas. September 5, 2024. Afrika Abney “The contrasting nature of these colors can help to convey specific messages or themes, such as creativity, enthusiasm, and stability.”
Read more

ColorForm

ColorForm. Digital art created on canvas. August 22, 2024. Afrika Abney “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way—things I had no words for.”- Georgia O'Keeffe “The realization dawned on me that through the use of color and form, I could express sentiments and ideas that eluded verbal articulation—concepts for which I lacked the appropriate vocabulary. This unique medium allowed me to convey emotions and thoughts that were otherwise inexpressible, revealing a deeper layer of communication that transcended traditional language. I discovered that the vibrant hues and distinct shapes in my artwork provided a means of expression that words alone could not capture. This visual language enabled me to articulate complex feelings and abstract notions, offering a profound connection to my inner experiences that remained inaccessible through conventional dialogue. It became evident to me that the interplay of colors and shapes served as a powerful co...
Read more

Radiant Shadows

Radiant Shadows. Digital art created on canvas. September 11, 2024. Afrika Abney “The interplay of light and shadow is a fascinating aspect of visual artistry. It is important to understand the profound impact that these elements have on the overall composition of an image. By skillfully manipulating light sources and the resulting shadows, they can evoke a range of emotions, create depth, and guide the viewer's eye to focal points within the artwork. This mastery not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also adds layers of meaning, transforming a simple scene into a compelling narrative.”
Read more