POUGHKEEPSIE – An interactive workshop on African American head wrapping will beheld from 3 to 6 p.m. July 29 at the Mid-Hudson Heritage Center, 317 Main St., Poughkeepsie. The free workshop is being held by Arts Mid-Hudson’s Folk Arts Program.
The workshop will be led by Monique Fisher, a Poughkeepsie resident known in the community for her head wraps which she has worn for years. Fisher will demonstrate head wrapping and instruct participants on creating them with scarfs she will supply.
Headwraps originated in sub-Saharan Africa as a way to exhibit wealth and status as well as to provide protection from the sun. During years of slavery, head coverings were a sign of enslavement, which led to controversial images of African American women. Today, with the influence from Africa via the internet styles have become more elaborate. In the U.S. contemporary head wrapping is less about status and more about style and social media has made it more popular.
No reservations are needed for the event. For more information, call 845-454-3222 or email Elinor Levy at elevy@artsmidhudson.org.
The Folk Arts Program researches and presents the arts and traditions that form our diverse communities’ cultural heritages. Through educational public programs such as the musical round-robin, the program interprets the traditions of ethnic, occupational and religious groups in the Mid-Hudson region. The Folk Arts Program welcomes suggestions about how to assist in celebrating your community’s heritage.
Arts Mid-Hudson is the preeminent nonprofit arts service organization for the Mid-Hudson region and provides vision and leadership to support thriving and diverse arts in the region.
Since 1964 its initiatives have engaged and promoted the arts benefiting regional artists, arts organizations and communities.
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