The Chicago Public Library (CPL) has a line up of free programs, special events, and exhibits at many libraries throughout the month of February to celebrate the achievements, culture, and heritage of African Americans in visual arts.

Richard Hunt, a Chicago sculptor who has completed more public sculptures than any other artist in the country, will kick off events with a discussion about his life and illustrious career.  Also, lyric soprano Jonita Lattimore will grace the audience with inspirational musical selections.  This opening event will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Woodson Regional Library located at 9525 S. Halsted on January 30, 2010.

Here are some highlights from the Chicago Public Library’s 2010 African American History Month observance:

• Author Event

Haki Madhubuti will discuss and autograph his new book, Liberation Narratives: Collected and  New   Poems, 1966-2009.

• Urban Rockwell Cartooning

Michael Burton will teach patrons the art of cartooning in a one-hour class.

• Fine Art

Artist Krystal Webb will demonstrate the fine art of mosaic picture making.

• Storytelling

Storyteller Linda Braggs, will delight children with exciting stories of African American Folktales.

• Patricia Liddell Researchers’ Annual Black History Celebration

The Patricia Liddell Researchers, Chicago ’s chapter of the African American Historical and Genealogical Society, will demonstrate techniques and offer advice on the best resources to use when tracing ancestral lineage in this annual genealogy program.

• The Business of Art

Erika and Monika Simmons (The Double Stitch Twins) will discuss how they took their passion for crocheting from their living room to the sales floor of Macy’s.

• Drama & Theatre

The Unity Drama Group presents From Slavery to Freedom, a dramatic play chronicling 400 years of African American History.

• Author Event

Sisi Donald Mosby will discuss and autograph his new book, Black Holocaust: The Fred Hampton Murder Case.

For more information about African American history programs, a calendar of events is available at http://www.chipublib.org/events/for/month/2/year/2010/.  You can also visit a neighborhood branch library or call the CPL information center at 312.747.4300.

Update January 2014: Photo of Richard Hunt was taken by Joyce Owens

http://monroeanderson.typepad.com/joyce_owens_on_art/richard-hunt/