May: Afro Brazil Mural Project

Prince George’s African American Museum & Cultural Center (PGAAMCC) will act as host to 6 Afro Brazilian muralists from Sao Paulo, Brazil. The United States Department of State is sponsoring the trip. The artists will assist in creating a series of murals with PGAAMCC at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts, Suitland High School. The muralist will arrive on May 28, 2012 and will have an itinerary that consists of tours of the county, meeting and greeting public officials, and an artist discussion at Hyattsville’s Busboys and Poets.

The artists will begin painting the mural on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 and the mural unveiling will be held Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Suitland High School. The large scale mural will reflect African American culture and art forms. The PGAAMCC Culture Keepers will paint alongside the artists and learn about the connection African Americans in Prince George’s County have with Brazil in relationship to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade as well as race relations. Culture Keepers is PGAAMCC’s After School program for middle and high school students.

As host, PGAAMCC, will provide educational and cultural experiences for the Brazilian artists to learn about the rich African American history, art, and culture in the county. This project received support from Museu Afro Brasil, Embassy of Brazil, United States Department of State in Sao Paulo, Wells Fargo, and the Prince George’s African American Museum & Cultural Center. Chanel Compton, Education Director for PGAAMCC, participated in the Cultural Envoy program in Brazil in 2011 and created the program and itinerary for the Brazilian muralists visit to Prince George’s County.