Black History Month Celebration: West African Cultural Enrichment Residency

To celebrate and honor Black History Month and equity in the arts this February, the Center for the Arts + the Kissidugu Foundation will collaborate to bring renowned artist and educator Fara Tolno , from Guinea, West Africa, to the Gunnison Valley for a three-week, valley-wide cultural enrichment residency. This includes all-level, community classes at the Center for the Arts in traditional Guinean dance and drumming, Afro-fusion classes, DunDun dance class, ongoing adult classes, and drum and dance classes for kids. The ongoing adult classes will culminate in a community performance piece that will be a part of a virtual performance.

The benefits of live music, cultural interaction and exchange, and body movements, along with education and song, provides community members of all ages a rich experience that promotes and increases wellness and unity. The arts are a positive source to combat the negative effects of these difficult times of isolation, fear, civil unrest, and injustice.