By Cristina Cruz - Christopher Columbus HS
Photographer: COURTESY
Sophomore Derrick Hart speaks about his experience as an African American student at Christopher Columbus High during the school's Black History Month event, Feb. 25, 2021.
MIAMI | In honor of Black History Month, Christopher Columbus High School hosted an African Art Exhibit and Presentation in its cafeteria during the junior and senior lunch periods Feb. 25, 2021.
Photographer: COURTESY
Art History teacher Livia Koepp and students peruse the art on display at the African art exhibit that highlighted this year's celebration of Black History Month at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami.
Photographer: COURTESY
Christopher Columbus High Principal David Pugh addresses students at the beginning of the school's Black History Month event, Feb. 25, 2021.
The event included a showing of the TEDTalks lecture by artist Titus Kaphar and presentations by Livia Koepp, Columbus art history teacher; Christopher de la Viesca '21, Art History Club president; and Derrick Hart '23, Black Student Organization president.
"Many of the pieces on display were carefully acquired to represent the works in our AP Art History curriculum and to bring the students an authentic African art experience," said Koepp. In addition, the art represented several areas on the African continent and in the Americas.
De la Viesca called the art on display “multifaceted and meaningful. It demonstrated Africa's rich and varied art, culture, history, and experience. From the Egyptian scrolls to the Nigerian statues to the Afro-Caribbean portraits, Africa's fascinating history was on display for all to see.”
For the past two years, the school's activities to celebrate Black History Month included its Exploring Black History & Leadership Lecture Series where distinguished African American leaders visit Columbus to speak about their life and professional experiences. However, this year due to the difficulty of scheduling speakers during the pandemic, the event focused on African art and presentations from students.
The event closed with sophomore Derrick Hart speaking about his experience at Columbus as an African American student and what the African art meant to him.
Several lucky raffle winners also walked away with original works by artist Sanlly Viera.
Photographer: COURTESY
Senior Christopher de la Viesca explains Egyptian art during Christopher Columbus High School's Black History Month event, Feb. 25, 2021.
