In partnership with the Granite City Days Family Fun Day, Fred Yiran African Arts Day will celebrate the rich artistic culture and heritage of the thousands of African immigrants who now call Central MN home. Global Connectedness is an African value that Fred Yiran honored and represented in his many art forms. You will have the opportunity to engage with African artists, and experience their art through this immersive cultural experience. Storytelling, dance, visual arts, beadmaking, spoken word, drumming, music, children’s art making, African food will be shared.

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis will also officially declare this day, "The Fred Yiran Arts Day" for the City of Saint Cloud.

Performance and Workshop Schedule

12:00-12:15 DEBRA LEIGH African Dance

12:15-1:00 Jack & Kitty

12:30-1:30 African Arts with Jan-Lodewijk Grootaears In the Lake George Sunroom

1:00-1:15 DANIELLE DANIEL Storyteller

1:15-2:00 Jack & Kitty

1:30-2:15 Debra Leigh & Danielle Daniel with teachers In the Lake Goerge Sunroom

2:00-2:15 BUI CAMEROON DANCE

2:15-3:00 Jack & Kitty

2:15-3:00 Bui Cameroon dancers with teachers In the Lake George Sunroom

3:00-3:15 BUDDY KING

3:15-4:00 Jack & Kitty Performance

3:15-4:00 Buddy King African drumming with teachers In the Lake George Sunroom

ART TENTS

• 1 henna hands
• 2 bead making
• 3 children’s art
• 4 Fred Yiran’s artwork
• 5 African Women’s Alliance

Planned dance and drumming performances will project different African cultures in the St. Cloud area as a way of celebrating and sharing the variety of cultures represented in Central Minnesota. There will be an art contest for the kids to create African art that will project their world view. Fred Yiran had a mission of promoting and preserving cultural heritage through art and education.

Fred Yiran, an artist from Cameroon, has been celebrated for his commitment to bridging the gap for new immigrants, and connecting more than 3,000 young students to African values of connectedness reverence, and respect, through his drum-making residencies throughout Minnesota. His artistic works include oil paintings, percussion instruments made from wood, leather, and horse tail, beads, masks, and large decorated drums made from the trunks of trees.