Target Sundays at the California African American Museum (CAAM) ushers in the holiday season with its annual Kwanzaa celebration. Taking place Sunday, December 1, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., this year’s theme is a Kwanzaa Bonanza.  Co-hosted by actress Babe Evans and actor Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter, there will be live performances, an art workshop and an opportunity to sign up for health insurance through the Global Wellness Project.

The official Target Sundays program starts at 1 p.m., with live performances in song, dance and spoken word. Special performances will be presented by the platinum recording and Grammy Award winning artist Andre Washington, from the popular 90s group All-4-One. Headlining the program will be Dawn Norfleet and Friends.  As a published scholar and ethnomusicologist with a Ph.D. from Columbia University, Dr. Norfleet will perform special jazz compositions with a Kwanzaa theme and more.

Guests are encouraged to stop by the CAAM galleries and take advantage of the free exhibitions, which open at 11 a.m.  CAAM’s spotlight exhibition includes, “Soul Stirring: African American Self-Taught Artists.” The exhibition features more than 50 works by renowned African American self-taught artists from the southern United States. These artists created evocative artworks without any formal training using a variety of media including cast-off roofing tin, recycled paper, posterboard and wood. Their work brilliantly reflects the political, religious, and societal expressions mined from their varied life experiences.

At 12 p.m., local artist and educator Teresa Tolliver will host an art workshop for all ages.  Supplies will be provided by CAAM. 

Starting at 12:30pm, the Global Wellness Project (GWP) will present “Obamacare and You,” an overview of the healthcare law and Covered California.  GWP will have certified enrollment counselors available to enroll individuals on the spot.  To enroll in Covered California, individuals need to bring proof of identity, California residency and U.S. citizenship or immigration status.  In addition, individuals need to bring their social security cards. 

CAAM is also hosting a food drive; so don’t forget to bring your unopened canned goods to help feed the less fortunate this holiday season. For more information on CAAM, visit www.caamuseum.org.  CAAM is located at 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, 90037.  Parking is $10 in the lot adjacent to CAAM at 39^th and Figueroa Streets. 

Ongoing Exhibitions in the CAAM Galleries

The Legacy of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company: More Than a Business, through December 2013

Diverted Destruction 6, through January 20, 2014

African American Military Portraits From the African American Civil War, through December 29, 2013

The March on Washington: A Tribute, 50 Years Later, through February 23, 2014

Soul Stirring: African American Self-Taught Artists From the South, through April 6, 2014

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM

The California African American Museum (CAAM) is a state agency charged with researching, collecting, preserving and interpreting for public enrichment the history, art and culture of African Americans. Collaboratively operating in partnership with its 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum, CAAM houses a permanent collection of over 3,000 objects of art, artifacts and historical documents, and a publicly accessible Research Library containing more than 20,000 volumes. 

To bring its mission to life, CAAM hosts up to 13 exhibitions annually and tours several of its organized exhibitions nationally.  CAAM also presents a wide variety of more than 80 annual public programs ranging from educational and curriculum-driven lectures and tours with scholars and experts to art workshops, film screenings, and its highly popular signature series of monthly live performances Target Sundays at CAAM.

In furtherance of its value-driven commitment to mentor the next generation and give back to the community, CAAM proudly trains and employs high school students year-round through its Young Docent program; offers Buses & Docents as a source of equitable access to field trip opportunities for school and community groups that otherwise could not afford the transportation; fosters cross-issue, cross-town and cross-cultural learning and dialogue through its Young Voices at CAAM school exchanges; actively advocates literacy, book reading and written expression through Heads are Turning, Children are Learning; and, creates small business development and customer outreach opportunities for artists and craft-makers through its on-site Artpreneur vending program. 

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