The 2nd Annual African Americans of Excellence (AAOE) Exhibit 2024

The 2nd Annual African Americans of Excellence (AAOE) Exhibit 2024—a multi-media exhibit featuring original work from local artists and students, showcasing the contributions of African Americans in Frederick County—will open with a VIP kick-off event. Join the artists, honorees and special guests for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, artist and honoree talks, a live and silent auction and a special celebration.

Yemi Fagbohun, award-winning international artist, in collaboration with TGP Gives, AARCH Society, Frederick Lifestyle, Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County, 88Visual, T. Kowalsky Photography and the Weinberg Center presents the 2nd African Americans of Excellence (AAOE) Exhibit 2024, a multi-media exhibit showcasing the contributions of African Americans in Frederick County—legacy leaders who have courageously, humbly and significantly contributed to positive, transformative work over multiple decades to create and provide a beautiful community and brighter future for us all.

Yemi, the visionary founder of this project, believes that “art brings the community together.” For the past year, Yemi has brought together an amazing group of sponsors, advisors, stakeholders and volunteers to turn this vision into reality.

EXHIBIT HONOREES:
Bernard Brown
Seaven Gordon
Mary Harris
Ted Luck
Joy Onley
Wendell Poindexter
Gary Rollins

EXHIBIT ARTISTS:
ART – Yemi Fagbohun
PHOTOGRAPHY – Tiffany Kowalsky
VIDEOGRAPHY – 88Visual (Brandon Chapman and De’von Wellesley)

A ribbon cutting ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce took place with President Rick Weldon and honorees and artists shared remarks after each visual. In addition, over 30 local students from the Frederick County (from various public, private and homeschool backgrounds) participated in an artist workshop led by Yemi and hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County. The student art will be installed as part of the AAOE Exhibit 2024 and a silent auction of the students artwork will be sold to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County.

The 2nd Annual African Americans of Excellence Exhibit 2024 will be on display in the lobby of The Weinberg Center for the Arts during the month of February 2024. It will travel to a few other galleries throughout the first half of 2024.

photo credit: Frederick Lifestyle