2015 Art & Soul Kickoff Event Launches Month of Giving to Culture

THE ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
Program Partners are recognized at the Art & Soul Kickoff Event. Robert Scheer/The Star 
INDIANA---To the rhythms of African drumming and dancing, a packed audience gathered for the Art & Soul kickoff event at the Indianapolis Artsgarden on Saturday, January 31. The energetic event launched a month-long arts celebration of the "African Diaspora" and a month-long fundraising campaign to raise $22,000 for African and African American cultural programs in central Indiana. Donate at indyarts.org/Give2ArtSoul. This unique celebration demanded a unique partnership, and those organizers were also recognized during the kickoff: (left to right) Keesha Dixon, Asante Children's Theatre; Claudia Montes-Salinas, Latino Youth Collective; Representative for Freetown Village; Shannon Linker, Arts Council of Indianapolis; and Kathleen Spears, The Walker.

Nyela Waiss, 12, Indianapolis, stands with her dance group, Sankofa Fare, before the start of the Art & Soul Kickoff Event at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2015.  Robert Scheer/The Star
Members of the dance group Sankofa Fare make a lap around the audience during the Art & Soul Kickoff Event at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2015.
Members of the dance group Sankofa Fare make a lap around the audience during the Art & Soul Kickoff Event at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2015. Robert Scheer/The Star
Dancers and drummers provide an opening for the Art & Soul Kickoff Event at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015.
A piece of art, made from a photographic original and printed on aluminum, by William Rasdell is displayed at th eArt & Soul Kickoff Event at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2015. Robert Scheer/The Star
Kamau Jywanza gives an opening address during the start of the Art & Soul Kickoff Event at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2015. Robert Scheer/The Star
Artwork frames attendees of the Art & Soul Kickoff Event at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2015. Robert Scheer/The Star
The Griot Drum Ensemble performs at the Art & Soul Kickoff Event at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2015. Robert Scheer/The Star
A shaker works along with the beat of the drums at the Art & Soul Kickoff Event at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2015. Robert Scheer/The Star
Members of the Sankofa Fare dance group at the Art & Soul Kickoff Event at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2015. Robert Scheer/The Star
Victoria Petty, who owns Lady V d'zigns, shows off one of her hats to potential customers at the Art & Soul Kickoff Event at the Indianapolis Arts Garden, Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2015.