Jan-Lodewijk Grootaers will present a 1-hour lecture on African Arts in the Sun Room of the Lake George Municipal Complex from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. during Fred Yiran African Arts Day.

Up to 4 hours of Continuing Education Units are available for Educators who attend!

Jan-Lodewijk Grootaers is a social anthropologist (PhD, University of Chicago) who specializes in the cultures of the Ubangi Region in central Africa. He is the Curator of African Art and Head of the Arts of Africa and the Americas at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

During Fred Yiran African Arts Day, 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.

• African Dancing – Debra Leigh
• African Drumming – Buddy King
• African Storytelling – Danielle Daniel
• African Bead Making – Janette Yiran
• African Food/Culinary – Rick Walter
• African Painting: Alemni, Yenran, & Lemntsav Yiran (children of Fred Yiran)
• African Women’s Alliance Artistic Contributions: Florence Orionzi and Beth Gathetu

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. Global Connectedness is an African value that Fred Yiran honored and represented in his many art forms.

FRED YIRAN AFRICAN ARTS DAY will meet these Minnesota Academic Standards for the Arts:
2. Demonstrate knowledge and use of the technical skills of the art form, integrating technology when applicable.
Visual Arts
0.1.2.5.1
1. Identify the tools, materials and techniques from a variety of two-and three dimensional media such as drawing, printmaking, ceramics or sculpture.
0.2.1.5.1
1. Create original two-and three-dimensional artworks to express ideas, experiences or stories.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the personal, social, cultural and historical contexts that influence the arts areas.
Dance
0.1.3.1.1
1. Identify the characteristics of dance from a variety of cultures including the contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities.
4.1.1.1.3
3. Identify Western and non-Western styles or genres of dance such as African, ballet, Capoeira, classical, Indian, folk, improvisation, modern, social tap/percussive and West
African.
4.1.3.1.2
2. Describe how dance communicates meaning.
Music
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of the arts area.
4.1.1.3.3
3. Identify the characteristics of a variety of genres and musical styles such as march, taiko, mariachi and classical.
Theater
4.1.1.4.1
1. Describe the elements of theater including plot, theme, character, language, sound and spectacle.