NIA advances work of young black artists
NIA advances work of young black artists By Fredric Koeppel for Memphis Commercial Appeal July 28, 2006 The NIA Artist Collective kept a pretty low profile for several years until it mounted "The Salon" exhibition a year ago at Memphis College of Art's On the Street gallery on South Main. The event returns with a reception tonight from 6 to 9, but instead of a one-night show, the exhibition went up July 14 and will be displayed through Aug. 13. NIA is the Swahili word for "purpose," which, in this case, is to advance the cause of young black artists and their work in the art community. Vitus Shell is vice president of NIA, and since he curated "The Salon for Memphis' Arts Creators," we asked him some questions about the organization and the event.