***Postponement Notice: Please note that the 2025 Diaspora Lecture with Dr. Lindsay has been postponed. We will share the new date when we are able to reschedule. ***
Abstract: CONGO ART, AESTHETICS AND THE VISUAL CULTURE OF Taller PORTOBELO
The painting workshop of Taller Portobelo (the Portobelo Workshop) was founded in the mid-1990s as an artist cooperative dedicated to the preservation of Congo history and culture through works of art. The founders include the renown photographer Sandra Eleta, Virgilio “Yaneca” Esquina, a leading member of the Congo community and artist, cultural investigator and educator Dr. Arturo Lindsay. Portobelo is nestled in a bay on the Caribbean coast of the Republic of Panama.
The Congos are descendants of cimarrones – maroons. On January 20th – St Sebastian’s feast day – the Congo flag is raised declaring that Tempe de Soto, meaning, “our time” has begun. This period is dedicated to the remembrance of their ancestors through a series of festive performances know as el juego de Congo.
Congo Art, Aesthetics and the Visual Culture of Taller Portobelo is a slide/video/lecture that provides an insider’s understanding of a new Afro-centric Panamanian art movement known as Arte Congo that was born at Taller Portobelo. This presentation explores Congo traditions by examining how the artists of Taller Portobelo recount the history of their ancestors by memorializing past, present and unknown Congos. Seminal to Arte Congo is the depiction of the beauty of the Black woman. This presentation includes a description of Congo social structure, music, dance, language, unscripted traditional performances, the use of buffoonery as a subterfuge, material culture, intangible cultural expressions and more.
Stone Written (@stonewrittenpod) is an educational foray into the rich tapestry of Black experience, with navigating life at a PWI taking center stage. Hosted by Dr. Rhon Manigault-Bryant (@DoctorRMB), listeners can expect candid takes, insightful interviews, captivating stories, and an audio journey that honors the resilience and brilliance of our communities. Tune in and experience the official podcast of the Sonja Haynes Stone Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, where our culture resonates, our history illuminates, and our legacy elevates.
In this engaging episode of “Stone Written,” join host Dr. Rhon as she welcomes two remarkable guests, Dr. Cassandra Denise Caldwell and Laura Anderson Wright to discuss the enduring impact and future potential of the Sonia Haynes Stone Center at UNC Chapel Hill. Both alumni of the university, they reveal personal stories of inspiration, connection, and the crucial role of philanthropy in sustaining the center’s mission and expanding its reach.
The conversation dives into the complexity of Black alumni relationships with the university, addressing the challenges posed by recent shifts in policies and sentiments within higher education. Through personal anecdotes and shared memories, the trio explores the intersection of personal history, academic experiences, and the power of communal support in shaping future generations. Their lives attest to the power of philanthropy, where Black women prioritize giving that supports their vision for futures where Black students can thrive.
Listeners are invited to consider their role in this collective effort, with discussions on how even modest contributions can create lasting impacts. The episode challenges current and future alumni to unite in support of the Stone Center, fostering a legacy for decades to come.
Sources:
- To learn more about the Stone Center, including naming opportunities, see: https://linktr.ee/shscgiving.
- Charities Aid Foundation, “What is Philanthropy?”
- Listen to the “Decolonizing Philanthropy” episode of Philanthropisms podcast