Nyumba Ya Sanaa: Works from the Maryknoll Collection

Nyumba Ya Sanaa: Works from the Maryknoll Collection will run from Oct. 28–Dec. 18, 2016 at the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery at Lebanon Valley College. This traveling exhibition from Syracuse University presents art from 22 Tanzanian artists—including prints, drawings, watercolors, sculptures, and textiles—donated by the Maryknoll Sisters. Among the collection are pieces created at Nyumba Ya Sanaa (“House of Art” in Swahili), a Cultural Centre and art workshop located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Founded in 1972 by Sister Jean Pruitt, a Maryknoll Sister born in Michigan, the Centre’s mission, among other cultural activities, was to support local artists, and to help them display and sell their works.

During the four decades of Nyumba Ya Sanaa’s existence, several hundred artists worked there, including Tanzania’s most famous artist, George Lilanga, whose work will be featured in the Gallery’s exhibition. Experience the art Pablo Picasso hailed as the “most beautiful and the most powerful things the human imagination had ever created.” The opening reception will be held Friday, Oct. 28, 5–7 p.m. in Zimmerman Recital Hall. All are welcome. Music and free refreshments will be provided.

The lecture, Fertile Ground: Art from Tanzania, by Domenic Iacono, director of the Syracuse University Art Galleries, will be held in conjunction with the exhibition Thursday, Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public.

A performance by the IMANI Edu-Tainers African Dance Company will enable everyone to experience an educational and culturally enriching performance, with family participation, by the West African dance troop. The performance will be held Sunday, Nov. 13 at 4 p.m. with refreshments following the performance. Visitwww.imaniafricandance.org/ to learn more about the company.

The Gallery is open Wednesday from 5–8 p.m., Thursday–Friday from 1–4:30 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Schools and other organizations are encouraged to contact the Gallery for a guided visit. Additional information is available at www.lvc.edu/gallery, gallery@lvc.edu, or 717-867-6445. Keep up with the latest Gallery news on Facebook.