Rose Center and Council for the Arts Edith Davis Gallery in Morristown is hosting the exhibit, “From Africa to Appalachia: The Tie That Binds” objects from the B. Carroll Reece Museum at East Tennessee State University. This free exhibit will be on view through March 26.

The “From Africa to Appalachia” Foundation held an opening celebration on Sunday, which included music by the Martha Davis Baptist Church Choir of Jefferson City. Rebecca Proffitt, Director of ETSU’s Reece Museum spoke about the collection, and Community Service awards were presented to Sandra Peters and Patty Gracey for their work with the FATA Foundation since its beginning.

“From Africa to Appalachia” features artists and artisans who focus on aspects of life within African cultures and the African Diaspora from the early 20th century to the current time. The exhibition presents 33 pieces that focus on themes of spirituality, ancestry, beautification, and art for art’s sake as they are expressed in sculptures, paintings, clay works, stone, glassworks, and indigenous materials. Diverse African artistic expressions form the foundation of this exhibition, and serve as a backdrop for the work of Appalachian artists, demonstrating the ties that bind them—culturally, spiritually, and emotionally—across time and distance. There are works by the late Sammie Nicely and other East Tennessee artists, as well as works by artists of several African nations.

Dr. Althia Ali, curator of the collection, began collecting art from Africa and the African Diaspora in the mid-1970s, acquiring many pieces as she traveled around the world. In addition to traveling widely, Ali achieved another of her lifetime goals when she opened Arte Gallery and Studio in her hometown of Morristown. The gallery presented works by established and emerging artists whose works displayed themes of life in Africa and the African diaspora.

The Reece Museum is a unit of the Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services, which is housed in the ETSU Department of Appalachian Studies. The Reece Museum is located on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. For more information, visit http://www.etsu.edu/reece or phone 423-439-4392.

Rose Center and Council for the Arts, located at 442 West Second North Street in Morristown, is a museum and cultural center serving the community through exhibits, concerts, classes and more. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. More information is available at http://www.rosecenter.org, or by calling 423-581-4330.