JOPLIN, MO (SNS) – In celebration of Black History month, selected items from the African art collection of Missouri Southern State University will be on view Jan. 16 to Feb. 10 in the Spiva Art Gallery of MSSU.

Most of the items are from Sub-Saharan Africa. The objects reflect African views of power, gender and life stages. Most of the objects are ritualistic in nature but some are utilitarian.

They range from wooden masks and sculpture to woven textiles anc ceramics. Many African cultures are represented including the Ashante, Baule, Dan, Kuba, Kongo, Lega, Luba and Mkonde.

The collections were donated to MSSU by a variety of individuals. These include John and Pam Finley, Marianne Keown, Ben Pickard, Guy Mace and Vivian Olson.

Additional items were made possible through MSSU Institute of International Study grants and the Missouri Southern Art Department. In all, Missouri Southern has over 250 items in its African art collection.

The Spiva Gallery of MSSU is located on the university campus. It is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, free of charge.

For further information contact, V.A. Christensen, Gallery Coordinator, at (417) 625-9631.

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