Juneteenth: A Sankofa Celebration of African Freedom!

June 5-28, 2009

The Akan proverb states "Se wo were fi na wosan kofa a, yenkyi." The term Sankofa comes from the words "san" (return), "ko" (go), and "fa" (look, seek, and take.) The image of the mythological bird with its head bent looking backward has been interpreted and re-interpreted in several different ways. At times, it can symbolize the chief who can see all, even things behind him. It has also been used as a symbol for the Akan idea that the past can help to guide the future or the thought that, if a mistake has been made or something is forgotten, the wrong can be righted and that one can learn from experience.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation—which had become official January 1, 1863.

The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger's regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

Juneteenth today celebrates African American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures, as it takes on a more national and even global perspective. Juneteenth almost always focused on education and self improvement. Thus often guest speakers are brought in and the elders are called upon to recount the events of the past.

With this historical display of freedom through artist celebration by our creative elders and youth, this amalgamation of the Sankofa principle with the spirit of Juneteenth will serve to heal Richmond Virginia's African Ancestors, and its surrounding community, that were affected by the slave trade.

Juneteenth: A Sankofa Celebration of African Freedom! will feature some of the finest paintings, photography, mixed media, sculpture, furniture, music and more created today by top international and local Richmond's most diverse visionaries such as E-yage, Keith Ramsey, Earle Taylor, Stanley Rayfield, Devon Lawrence, Vreni Michelini, William Miles, Kyle Epps, Julian Green, Devin Fallen, Bolaji Oyrgunie, The Pilgrim collection and other special guest artists.

So please join us for the very first month long visual celebration of Juneteenth in any gallery or museum in the world right here in Richmond's art6 gallery on June 5th First Fridays Art Walk, featuring William Miles, a Richmond local turned international producer/DJ, who is at the forefront of today's A-list drum and bass talents from the BBC Radio 1, spinning a live and original drum and bass set.

-E-yage