South Side Community Art Center's 51st Art Auction to feature finest in African American Art

CHICAGO - May 3, 2016 - PRLog -- The South Side Community Art Center (http://www.sscartcenter.org/index.html) (SSCAC) will host its 51^st Annual Art Auction & Fundraiser (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-side-community-art-centers-51st-art-auction-tickets-23467534026) on Saturday, May 21, at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, McLean Ballroom from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. As throughout its history, the Auction will feature art from established and emerging artists, including such nationally and internationally recognized artists as Elizabeth Catlett (http://www.elizabethcatlett.net/), Eldzier Cortor (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/28/arts/design/eldzier-cortor-painter-of-scenes-from-african-american-social-life-dies-at-99.html?_r=0), Gerald Griffin, William Carter, Minnie Watkins, Joyce Owens, Buchi Upjohn, Dana Todd Pope, Martha Wade (http://www.galleryna19.com/martha-wade/), David Geary, and Eugene "Edaw" Wade (https://eugenewade.wordpress.com/about/).

The Art Auction serves as the organization's primary fundraiser. Funds raised will support the organization's mission: to preserve, conserve and promote the legacy and future of African American art and artists, while educating the community on the value of art and culture. The SSCAC Annual Art Auction also gives emerging artists the opportunity to have their works viewed and purchased alongside their nationally and internationally established colleagues.

SSCAC will honor artists Joyce Owens (http://www.joyceowens.com/) and Martha Wade (http://www.galleryna19.com/martha-wade/) for their commitment to their craft and service to the community. There will also be a performance by actress, producer, cultural activist and internationally known theater personality,Val Gray Ward.

Honorary Chairs for the event are Veranda Dickens, Seaway Bank & Trust,Amina Dickerson, Dickerson Global Advisors, and Phillip Scott,owner ofNYCH Galleries. Art Auctioneers are celebrated Artist Candace Hunter, founderof Chlee Art and guest auctioneer, actress and comedian Ericka Watson. NBC 5 Chicago's LeeAnn Trotter will be the evening's emcee.

Since 1940, SSCAC has been a community force, supporting the arts and providing arts education and programming to Chicago's metropolitan area youth, adults and seniors. SSCAC is continuing the celebration of its 75^th Anniversary as the last WPA era Arts Center in the country.

Tickets for the event are $75 and include a one-year membership to SSCAC, visit:

http://bit.ly/26ubZba

About SSCAC (http://www.sscartcenter.org/index.html)

Situated in the heart of Bronzeville, The South Side Community Art Center (http://www.sscartcenter.org/history.html) grew out of the Work Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Arts Project. Of the 110 Federal Art Project's centers, the SSCAC is the oldest surviving African American Art Center in the country.