"ELEMENTAL" Artist Makes Museum History

(Savannah, Georgia, USA)--Acclaimed artist Luther E. Vann became the first Savannah-born African-American artist to have a one-man exhibit at the Telfair Museum’s Jepson Center for the Arts when his show opened there April 16, 2008. On May 29, the Jepson Center will host “An Evening with Luther E. Vann and Friends,” an event open to the public from 6-7 p.m.

The event will include a presentation by the artist reading from his newly released book, ELEMENTAL: The Power of Illuminated Love (Soar Publishing); a statement of interpretation of Vann’s work by Dr. Ja A. Jahannes; and other surprise events followed by a book signing. His book is now available at the Jepson Center Gift Shop, telephone (912) 790-8831 and through Soar Publishing at this url: http://www.soarpublishingllc.com/ .

“This event,” said Vann, “is very special for many different reasons. For one thing, it represents a major successful effort on behalf of the Telfair Museum, working with the Friends of African-American Arts, to interact more inclusively with Savannah’s African-American community. Secondly, the book ELEMENTAL, The Power of Illuminated Love, is one that I started with the author Aberjhani almost two full decades ago, so it’s a true blessing to see the project coming to such beautiful fruition and we’re grateful to all those who helped make it happen.”

Vann has some 16 pieces of art on exhibit in the Jepson Center’s Lewis Gallery. His new book includes more than 60 reproductions of his art along with accompanying poems and introductory essays by Aberjhani. In addition to ELEMENTAL, Aberjhani recently released several new books, including his profile of life in Savannah entitled The American Poet Who Went Home Again.

The Telfair Museum of Art is one of the oldest public art museums in the United States. In addition to Vann’s show, it also currently has on display photographs of the legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Moreover, the museum is the permanent home of a collection of portraits by Kahlil Gibran, the celebrated author of The Prophet.

The Telfair’s Jepson Center is located at 207 W. York Street. For more information, please call (912) 790-8800.

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