Zemi Dolls

A zemi or cemi is a deity or ancestral spirit, and a sculptural object that houses the spirit, among the Taino.  They were also created by neighboring tribes in theCaribbean and northern South America. I like to think that the dolls I create house kind ancestor spirits that protect the child the doll is for. This is one I had made for a fellow colleague of mine.

LOL I know one of her legs is bigger than the other.

Family Day with No Longer Empty...

The If You Build It exhibition, coordinated by No Longer Empty, in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem has and will be offering free family art workshops for the community. I facilitaed the first one June 28th. Below are images from the workshop. Families had a great time listening to stories and creating their cityscapes.
I look forward to the next two free fun art workshops on Saturday July 12th and August 2nd. Check out the link for more information: http://www.nolongerempty.org/nc/home/what-we-do/exhibitions/exhibition/if-you-build-it/

I read Uptown by Bryan Collier, The Tin Forest by Helen Ward, Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott, I Love Collage by me Elan and We Had a Picnic This Sunday Past by Jacqueline Woodson.

All really great books!