Contact: Jewel Bush
504.586.7432
jewel.bush@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The George & Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art
Celebrates Grand Reopening Feb. 22 and 23

New Orleans, LA (Feb. 6, 2008) - The George & Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art, located at 2003 Carondelet St., will reintroduce its collection of inspiring works to the community in grand style with festivities centered around its reopening on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22 and 23.

The celebration will kick off on Friday with a Grand Fête hosted by the museum's founder, Dr. Dwight McKenna. The reception will feature musical styling from local trumpeter Troy Sawyer and pianist Theron Lewis. Guests will be some of the firsts to see the museum's temporary exhibits: "Glass Menagerie: Works on Reverse Glass" by J'Renee and "Santiago de Cuba: Rebirth & Congas en la Calle," a collection of photos taken of Rebirth Brass Brand as they performed in Cuba with groups similar to New Orleans social aid and pleasure clubs.

"This museum grew out of a love for education, for youth, for the arts and the city of New Orleans. I'm excited about the changes the institution is undergoing and happy to finally see the McKenna Museum come alive and become the institution I've dreamed it could be," said Dr. McKenna, an ardent art collector for more than three decades who is committed to cultural preservation as well as literacy.

Family Day will be held on Saturday at the museum from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring food, vendors, storytelling and arts and crafts workshops for children. One of the biggest highlights of the day is the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair, sponsored by the Young Friends Society of African Diasporan Institutions. Alumni from Howard, Spelman, Morehouse, Tuskegee, Southern, Texas Southern and Xavier Universities will be on site to talk with area high school students about the benefits of attending a historically black institution of higher learning. Parents and their college hopefuls can participate in financial aid workshops and a panel discussion regarding the educational and cultural value of attending such institutions. A Greek step show will take place as well.

The Museum is the brainchild of New Orleans native, Dr. Dwight McKenna, and home to his private art collection of works by local artists like Jack Jordan as well as internationally renowned talents like Clementine Hunter and Henry Ossawa Tanner. Named after his parents, who were heralded in the community as champions of education, the museum's structure is a three-story antebellum home built in the mid-1800s for the family of Natchez steamboat captain Thomas Leathers. During Hurricane Katrina, Dr. McKenna stayed behind to protect his priceless collection, single-handedly moving around the works as the roof caved in and the museum sustained major damage. The Museum's vision is to preserve the visual arts traditions of New Orleans and to establishing strategic partnerships with other vital institutions that are passionate about rebuilding arts and culture in the city.

"I'm ecstatic about the opportunity to work with Dr. McKenna to revitalizethe George & Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art," said The McKenna Museum's executive director and curator Shantrelle P. Lewis. "We seek to establish the Museum as a premier arts institution by serving as a voice for both emerging and established visual artists and a place where the community can come to witness and celebrate our rich history."

Lewis is a New Orleans native who recently returned to the city after a 12-year stint on the east coast, which included working in various capacities at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. Her educational background includes an undergraduate degree from Howard University and master's degree from Temple University's Department of African American Studies.

General museum admission rates will apply for Family Day: $5 for adults; $3 for students/seniors; $2 for children ages 6 to 12 and children 5 and younger free.

For more information about the George & Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art and the grand reopening celebration, please visit www.themckennamuseum.com or call 504.586.7432.

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