Opening Reception:Juan Antonio Picasso at 1978

Join us for a reception for Gallery 1978's Black History month artist, Juan Picasso, a relative of Pablo Picasso, who has traveled here from Cuba to show his work in Maplewood. Live music will be provided by Ahmondylla Best and John Lee. Free and open to the public. This event is offered as part of Gallery 1978's Artist in Residence program. The featured Black History Month artist is Juan Antonio Picasso. For more information, go to www.1978artscenter.org THE CREATIVE CUBAN CONNECTION: JUAN ANTONIO PICASSO Gallery 1978 proudly presents its Black History Month artist: Juan Antonio Picasso. Juan Picasso, an AfroCuban relative of Pablo Picasso, is from Havana Cuba. The exhibit runs from February13 to March 20. Juan Antonio Picasso is one of forty living descendants of Pablo Picasso’s grandfather who lived in Cuba in the late 1800’s and fathered four children with Cristina Serra, an AfroCuban woman. In the 1999 documentary “Los Picassos Negros (The Black Picassos ), Juan is featured as the only known descendant to make a living as an artist. The Picasso name may have garnered him heightened visibility and comparisons with Pablo Picasso, but Juan’s inspiration is provided by his AfroCuban ancestors. The positive diplomatic shifts between United States and Cuba have revived interest in visiting and experiencing the Cuban culture. Ben Jones, an artist and a retired professor from New Jersey City University, arranged and accompanied many tour groups to Cuba and was the catalyst for connection with Juan Picasso along with Gallery 1978’s curators, Nettie Thomas & Evelyn Graves. Gallery 1978 is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 5PM. For off hours viewing, please email 1978artscenter@gmail.com . The opening reception is February 14 from 2 to 6 PM. Visit the website for related events: www.1978artscenter.org