The North River Civic Center announces "Expressions of Pride: The AfroArt Collection" during Black History Month.
"Join us for the unveiling of this series celebrating the rich cultural heritage and beauty of the black community through a diverse array of captivating visuals," organizers said. "It is a tribute to the resilience and elegance of our heritage, showcasing a broad spectrum of self-expression."
The photographs will be on display at the North River Civic Center from January through March.
Regis and Kahran Bethencourt are the husband and wife team behind CreativeSoul Photography, dedicated to "empowering kids of color through captivating photography that celebrates their beauty, uniqueness and creativity." These child photographers are two-time New York Times Best Sellers for their coffee table books, "Glory" and "Crowned," and recipients of the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for their children's book, "The Me I Choose to Be."
Officials said, "Their AfroArt series, showcasing the beauty of afro hair, has gained global recognition, allowing their distinctive photos to be featured on various prominent media platforms such as The Steve Harvey Show, CNN and BBC News.
As Canon Explorers of Light and NAACP Image Award winners, they recently collaborated with Disney to reimagine Disney Princesses in their Afrocentric style, earning widespread acclaim and further establishing their reputation as innovative photographers.
"Through this exhibition, we invite you to experience the profound beauty and significance of these artistic expressions. Join us for the opening reception where you can meet the artists and purchase pieces of art."
The event is free to the public. The opening reception will be held on Sunday, Feb. 9 from 1-3 p.m., with a meet and greet time at 1:30 p.m., at North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Dr., Ste 102 in Hixson. Display hours from January through March are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from noon-4 p.m.