Prepare to be impressed by the art on exhibit at the African Art Gallery and Museum. The gallery section of the museum has 12 rooms of hand carved home furnishings from the Fofole Collection.
Magnificent chairs, tables, a bed and entertainment centers are hand carved from the Iroko tree of the west African coastal forest. Rich with artistry, the carvings tell stories of rituals, families and the animals of the continent.
"This one of a kind collection is unique to the Tampa area," said Cynthia Bailey, curator of the museum.
The Benya Collection includes both ancient artifacts and modern art. Many African tribes contributed to this collection with family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation. Almost everything is for sale.
Spears and shields from the Zulu tribe, an antique zebra skin drum and other musical instruments, Egyptian art on papyrus and a rich collection of batik fill the gallery.
The batik comes from Cote d'Ivoire. Artists drew the designs and village women colored the designs with wax and dyes.
The museum also carries the artwork of local African-American artists such as Inez Goodman of Tampa.
African Art Gallery and Museum
WHERE: 1711 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. 258-0223
WHEN: Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday or by appointment.
