In the midst of this cold snap, the Oak Cliff Cultural Center’s January programming offers a way to escape the winter weather.
Photo courtesy of Oak Cliff Cultural Center.
Zora Neale Hurston Festival Dallas
January 11, 12:00-8:00 PM, exhibition on view through February 8
The Oak Cliff Cultural Center is hosting a festival in celebration of American author Zora Neale Hurston.
The festival will include an exhibition featuring excerpts from artist Letitia Huckaby’s work Bitter Waters Sweet. The exhibition will be on view through February 8, 2025.
At noon, Donya Craddock will be in conversation with Trelani Michelle via Instagram Live. Craddock is the co-owner of The Dock Bookshop, one of Texas’ biggest African American owned bookstores. Michelle is the founder of Krak Teet, a nonprofit organization inspired by Zora Neale Hurston, among others, and dedicated to sharing stories about the African diaspora.
At 12:30, the festival will continue with a presentation on Pan-African connection and Zora Neale Hurston by Akwete Tyehimba. Teyhimba runs one of the largest retail African Art galleries in the world. Seating for the presentation will be first come first served.
Local artist Ashley Jordan will be hosting a printmaking workshop at 2:00 in which participants will be able to craft their own stamps inspired by the heritage of Adinkra symbols. Registration is required for the workshop and can be done here.
The festival will conclude with a poetry event at 5:00 and a 7:00 performance by singer Kamica King, both of which will be first come first served.
ORACLE by Danielle Ellis
January 18, 6:00-8:00 PM opening reception, exhibition on view through February 22, 2025
The ORACLE exhibition features a collection of digital collage prints from Ellis’ Brassfly Oracle Deck. In this work, Ellis explores the connection between African traditions and lived experiences of African Americans. The exhibition honors the legacy of the African diaspora through a secluded altar in the gallery’s center.
Ellis is an Oak Cliff native and currently works at her Brassfly Studio. In 2023, the South Dallas Cultural Center awarded her the Juanita J. Craft Artist Residency.
Swan Strings at OC3
Swan Strings Music Program is an ongoing nonprofit program dedicated to giving North Texan individuals access to free music education, community concerts and sound therapy. The program is held Tuesdays at 6:30 PM and Saturdays at 11:00 AM. More information can be found here.
