Published: June 28, 2008 02:46 pm      

Embrace 2008 planned for July 17-20

Now in its third year, Embrace 2008 brings together the world’s leading fine art galleries, featuring original collector-quality art of the African Diaspora. Embrace ’08 will be held at Mason Murer Fine Art in Midtown Atlanta, July 17-20.

Director Mark Karelson explains, "Embrace celebrates a vitally important, but under-valued area of visual art. Galleries from around the world will come to Mason Murer for a four day celebration of the best of the art of the African Diaspora. Atlanta, the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, is the natural focal point for this gathering."

Top art dealers from New York, Chicago, Detroit, Washington DC, and as far away as Paris, France bring museum quality works by historical and contemporary masters of the African diaspora. From icons like Tanner, Duncanson and Bannister, to Twentieth Century Masters including Bearden, Catlett and Lawrence, Embrace brings the best to Atlanta. But Embrace is more than a celebration of history. Works are also on view from cutting edge contemporary artists such as Carrie Mae Weems, Fahamu Pecou, Radcliffe Bailey and Kara Walker.

Our Thursday evening gala Benefit Preview Party will kick off the weekend, hosted by renowned artist Richard Mayhew. Collectors, curators, and art lovers can meet the artists and get an inside track on the best works in the show, while enjoying cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music. Proceeds from the evening benefit the National Black Arts Festival.

Lectures, presentations, and guided tours round out the weekend. Please see below for complete event listing and descriptions. Visit www.embraceatl.com for more info.



Location: Mason Murer Fine Art

199 Armour Drive

Atlanta, GA 30324

404.879.1500 tel

Directions at: HYPERLINK "http://www.masonmurer.com/" \o "http://www.masonmurer.com/" www.masonmurer.com



Contact: HYPERLINK "mailto:lina@embraceatl.com" lina@embraceatl.com or HYPERLINK "http://www.embraceatl.com" www.embraceatl.com



SCHEDULE of EVENTS



Thursday July 17 Preview Party 7pm - 10pm $50.00

Collectors, curators, and art lovers can meet the artists and get an inside track on the best works in the show, while enjoying Premium cocktails by Diageo, hors d’oeuvres by Dennis Dean, and live jazz by the legendary Mose Davis. Proceeds from the evening benefit the National Black Arts Festival. Tickets available online through Ticket Alternative at HYPERLINK "http://www.embraceAtl.com" www.embraceAtl.com.



Friday July 18 Open to the Public 12pm - 9pm $10

Presentation: The Art of Corporate Collecting 2pm - 3pm

Allen Blevins, Senior VP and Director of the Bank of America Art and Heritage Collections.

A rare chance to get inside information on Corporate Collecting: The Role of Corporations in supporting the Visual Arts, the Importance of Diversity in Corporate Collections and The Bank of America Collection. A must-hear for curators, art consultants, gallery owners, and artists who wish to become a part of these important collections!



Saturday July 19 Open to the Public 10am - 9pm $10

Presentation: Why Invest in African American Art 2pm – 3pm

Daniel T Parker- Noted Chicago collector, founding member of 'Diasporal Rythms" collectors guild, and author of 'African Art: The Diaspora and Beyond', Dan will give a presentation on why is it important to collect art in general, and African American art specifically, and why is it important to live with art. Slide presentation will include highlights of his extensive collection, as well as highlights of the art brought by the exhibiting galleries. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session, and Dan will be available to sign copies of his book.



Sunday July 20 Open to the Public 12pm - 6 pm $10

Guided Exhibition Tours are available- contact lina@embraceatl.com to schedule.



EXHIBITING GALLERIES

ACA Galleries - New York NY

Artcetera - Houston TX

Art 70th Gallery- New York NY

Avisca Fine Art - Marietta

Bill Hodges Gallery- New York NY

Charles Jones African Art- Wilmington NC

Folasayo African Art Gallery - Atlanta

Gallery Guichard - Chicago IL

Golden Galleries - Brighton CO

Hearne Fine Art - Little Rock AR

Intemporel - Paris France

In The Gallery - Wilmington NC

Junor Gallery – Decatur

Lusenhop Fine Art - Chicago IL

Mason Murer Fine Art - Atlanta

NCA Gallery - Detroit MI

Panopticon - Boston, MA

Parish Gallery Georgetown - Washington DC

Picou Fine Art - Fayetteville

Savacou Fine Art Gallery - New York NY

Spence Gallery – Toronto Ontario

Stella Jones Gallery - New Orleans LA

Vaknin - Atlanta