The City ofLake Charleswill host a special interactive gallery talk by Jeff Ferguson, African art collector.Fergusonwill share some his collection and knowledge as he covers topics including how and where to collect and purchase African art.  Is it really art?  Who made it?  Who was it made for?  What was it made for?  How to tell how old it is?  And the big question, why does it smell? The gallery talk will take place Thursday, February 23 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center at1001 Ryan Street. All ages are welcome to attend at no charge.

While visiting an African art gallery inTaos,New Mexicoin 1991,Ferguson’s thoughts were, “This stuff is ugly, not colorful, and it really smells.”  Later, in 1996, he again saw African art while visiting museums and galleries inHouston. He said, “This time I gave it a chance.  African art had not changed, I had.  I got the courage to purchase an Akua mma fertility doll fromGhana, hung it on the wall in my studio and we looked at each other for several months.” He said the doll looked lonely, so he purchased a few more pieces and hung them. Then the questions came:  What does this stuff mean, and really, why does it smell? As he learned more about African culture and the meaning behind the art, the collecting overtook the learning. His walls are now covered with nearly 300 pieces.

Ferguson’s talk and collection will be presented in conjunction with Art of Africa, currently on display from the Warren Robbins Center for Cross Cultural Communications, toured by International Arts and Artists of Washington, DC. Art of Africa presents over 60 objects including masks, sculpture, textiles and jewelry of nearly 30 cultures of sub-Saharan Africa. Both collections will hang through March 10. While visiting the arts and cultural center, stop in at the first floor gallery for Open Shutters on the Big Easy through March 15.

HistoricCity Hallis open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. For more information, please call 491-9147 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com.