Celebrating Black culture and history
Author D’Norgia Taylor-Price (left) and archivist and storyteller Liz Fouther-Branch celebrate Black art, culture and community at Sunday’s “Kwanzaa on Killingsworth,” a month long series of events to celebrate Black artistry and excellence at the Albina Arts Salon in the historic Albina Women’s League building at 14 N.E. Killingsworth St. The panels in the background were created by Bobby Fouther and share the story of the former Albina Arts Center. PHOTO BY MARK WASHINGTON
African American culture and history came to life in Portland this past weekend for “Kwanzaa on Killingsworth” a month long series of cultural celebrations and artisan markets that continue at the Albina Arts Salon in the historic Albina Women’s League building at 14 N.E. Killingsworth St.
On Sunday, a special event curated by Sunshine Dixon and the Soul Restoration Project celebrated Black artistry and excellence. Science fiction author D’Norgia Taylor-Price, a retired Urban League of Portland executive, business professor and grant writer, read some of her poetry and shared copies of two of her books, Seedlings and If by Chance. Local archivist and storyteller Liz Fouther-Branch also participated. Live musical performances filled the space.
A day earlier, the arts salon opened its doors for viewing the historic Black Oregon Newspapers from The Rutherford Collection at Portland State University, featuring talks by Portland journalists Bruce Poinsette and Donovan Smith.
The Soul Restoration Project is a series of residences at the Albina Arts Salon overseen by jazz pianist, composer and Portland State University professor Darrell Grant. The project serves as a laboratory to explore how art can activate and renew historically Black civic spaces. Support comes from Vanport Mosaic, the Oregon Community Foundation and others.
Grant is scheduled to present A Space for Black American Music: A Series of Jazz Talks, beginning on Monday, Dec. 27, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., continuing for the same hour each day through Wednesday, Dec. 29. Footage from prior performances will be shared.
Both in-person and live-stream screening tickets are available for $8-15 with proceeds supporting future programming at the Albina Arts Salon.