CRENSHAW : Black Art Exhibit Is Nation’s Largest

The 12th annual Artists’ Salute to Black History Month, the largest exhibit of black art in the country, will open Wednesday at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

More than 150 exhibitors from 22 states will display paintings, ceramics, sculpture, quilts, lithographs, serigraphs, drawings, wearable art and mixed-media works on the plaza’s two levels.

Several opportunities to chat with artists are planned. Among those exhibiting are: Synthia St. James, William Tolliver, Bernard Stanley Hoyes, Sylvia Walker, Albert Mukasa Williams and Varnette Honeywood. A “Legends” exhibit will feature works by Benny Andrews, Claude Clark, Samella Lewis and Charles White. Painter Jacob Lawrence will conduct a symposium at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The theme of this year’s salute is “Our Children . . . Our Hope.” Exhibit coordinator Barbara Wesson has planned several events aimed at children, including storytelling sessions, crafts workshops, mask-making workshops, mime performances, juggling and a parade Feb. 6.

“I want to honor more than just specially gifted children, but those who are really trying and improving,” Wesson said of the parade and ceremony. “We’re recognizing 200 ‘most improved’ kids from neighborhood schools to give more young people a nod of appreciation that they’re working to pull themselves up.”

The exhibit will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 6.

Information: (213) 939-0250.