Juan Antonio Picasso: Black History Month Opening Reception at 1978

THE CREATIVE CUBAN CONNECTION: JUAN ANTONIO PICASSO
Gallery 1978 proudly presents its Black History Month artist: Juan Antonio
Picasso. Juan Picasso, an AfroCuban relative of Pablo Picasso, is from
Havana Cuba. The exhibit runs from February13 to March 20.

Juan Antonio Picasso is one of forty living descendants of Pablo Picasso’s
grandfather who lived in Cuba in the late 1800’s and fathered four children
with Cristina Serra, an AfroCuban woman.

In the 1999 documentary “Los Picassos Negros (The Black Picassos ), Juan
is featured as the only known descendant to make a living as an artist. The
Picasso name may have garnered him heightened visibility and comparisons
with Pablo Picasso, but Juan’s inspiration is provided by his AfroCuban
ancestors.

The positive diplomatic shifts between United States and Cuba have revived
interest in visiting and experiencing the Cuban culture. Ben Jones, an artist
and a retired professor from New Jersey City University, arranged and
accompanied many tour groups to Cuba and was the catalyst for connection
with Juan Picasso along with Gallery 1978’s curators, Nettie Thomas &
Evelyn Graves.

Gallery 1978 is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 5PM. For off
hours viewing, please email 1978artscenter@gmail.com .

The opening reception is February 14 from 2 to 6 PM. Visit the website for
related events: www.1978artscenter.org