Celebrate Black History Month throughout the month of February at Irving Arts Center. To kick off the celebration, the Irving Black Arts Council will host a reception on February 1 from 5 to 7 PM.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXHIBITION

Artistry Abounds: Selections from the Collection of Arthur Primas
Presented by the Irving Black Arts Council
Main Gallery at Irving Arts Center
Exhibition Dates: February 1 – March 1, 2025
Reception: February 1 from 5 to 7 PM.

Each year in honor of Black History Month, the Irving Black Arts Council presents their Black History Month Exhibition.  This year, they will be exhibiting selections from the collection of Arthur Primas.  The Arthur Primas Collection is a taut balance of galvanizing content and brilliantly executed imagery. It contains a common thread, weaved through a variety of artistic mediums and movements, across 200 years of fine art practice. It is also unique among collections of predominantly African American art, which, most often, attempt to provide a survey of African American artistic production. The focus here is on works that examine the nature and impediments to freedom. This theme is at once central to American identity and to the universal quest of humankind. We are reminded by this collection that the social is at the same time intensely personal and universal. This unifying principle is broad enough to include a surprising range of works and artists important to the canon of African American art.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS

Opening Reception: Artistry Abounds: Selections from the Collection of Arthur Primas
Presented by the Irving Black Arts Council
February 1 from 5 to 7 PM.
See above for more information.

Second Sunday Funday: Celebrating Black History Month 
+ Teen Open Studio
Feb 2 from 1-4PM (FREE EVENT)
Drop in any time between 1 and 4PM to celebrate Black History Month by making art inspired by African American artists, past and present. Please note: February’s 2nd Sunday Funday will be held on the first Sunday of the month.  Free and fun for all ages!

Memphis Soul  
Presented by Entertainment Series of Irving 
Feb 14 @ 7:30 PM  (Ticketed Event)
Showcasing a distinctive sound and style inspired by such artists as Earth, Wind and Fire, Otis Redding, Al Green, Sam Cooke, and Aretha Franklin, Memphis Soul is a high-energy 8-piece group featuring a solid rhythm section, fiery horns, and dynamic male and female vocalists. Enjoy the rich musical legacy of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, mixed with current popular classic soul and R&B styles, with standards from Motown to modern dance music.

Annual Black History Program
Presented by Irving Black Arts Council  
Feb 16 @ 3 PM  (FREE EVENT)
Irving Black Arts Council presents their annual black history program.  Experience a journey through black history, celebrating resilience, love, family and artistry.  The program includes the USPS Black Heritage Month stamp unveiling and a featured presentation by Janet Forney, “A Poetic Journey through Time” inspired by the stories and poetry of literary icons from the Harlem Renaissance and beyond.