This year, the Friends of African and African American Art will celebrate their 50 year anniversary as one of the Detroit Institute of Art’s most important auxiliaries.

Initially, the gallery was intended only to display traditional art from Africa, but expanded to include African American art in the late 1980s. Valerie Mercer, curator and department head at the General Motors Center for African American art at the DIA expressed pride in the gallery.

“Other museums may have auxiliaries, but ours would have to be the oldest. The collection of African and African American art at the DIA is rich in history,” Mercer said.

The painting, “The Summer of 62,” the year the gallery was founded, is at the heart of the 1962 inspired event.

The event will feature dancing, with period music, cocktails and dinner. Guests are advised to attend dressed in formal ’62 apparel.

“It’s a matter of looking back into that time just for the fun of it,” Mercer said.

The event celebrates 50 years of African and African American Art, and is open to the public.

Public Relations Director Pamela Marcila is optimistic with regards the turnout for the event.

“We hope to see a variety of people attend the special festivities held in honor of the FAAAA,” Marcila said. “Events like the FAAAA’s 50th celebration calls attention to museum collections at the DIA.”

Special events also help to provide educational programs and purchase new art for the DIA’s 100 plus galleries.

The FAAAA 50th anniversary celebration will take place Saturday Sept. 15, from 7 to 11 p.m., in the DIA’s Prentis Court.

Tickets cost $150 and Patron tickets cost $500 for two people. Proceeds will go toward funding various departments within the DIA.

Contact Staff Intern Rhea Reid via email [email protected]