Celebration of Black Arts Festival showcases talented authors, artists

The festival is now in its 33rd year

Each year, Art Sanctuary hosts the annual Celebration of Black Arts Festival, which brings visionaries of written and visual art from all across the globe to Philadelphia.
Courtesy of Black Arts Festival/PhillyVoice

The Celebration of Black Arts Festival, now in its 33rd year, will kick off on Monday, May 1. The monthlong event is hosted by Art Sanctuary, which is the city’s leading arts organization dedicated to showcasing meaningful black art.

There will be 12-plus events throughout May as part of the Black Arts Festival.

Below are a few of this year's highlights.

• Award-winning illustrator and writer Bryan Collier will display his work in the Art Sanctuary gallery during May. His style combines watercolors with collage and often depicts people of color and moments in history. Collier is a six-time recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award.

Bryan Collier illustration/for PhillyVoiceAn image from the book “Rosa” by Nikki Giovanni. Bryan Collier is the illustrator.

• On May 19, The Legacy Awards will take place at the Arts Bank at the University of the Arts. The awards honor contributors to black literature, art and community. Tickets are required to attend.

• On May 13, the African American Museum in Philadelphia will host the festival's Literary and Arts Conference. The all-day event will offer workshops, panels and screenings with leading black authors and artists. There will also be book and art vendors and a series of youth programs.

Updates on more festival events can be found here.


2017 Celebration of Black Arts Festival

Monday, May 1 through Wednesday, May 31
Mainly at Art Sanctuary
628 S. 16th St.