Mois de la Francophonie
opening celebration!
Join us at the Alliance for a special Opening Night for our Mois de la Francophonie! Meet us in la galerie for the exhibition of three local Togolese artists and their distinct styles of art. Enjoy some wine, light Togolese refreshments, and plenty of joy and celebration as we enter our month-long celebration of Togo and the local Togolese community!
The opening will also feature Togolese DJ Alex, who will be accompanying this celebratory event with some tunes! We will also enjoy a musical performance from one of the exhibited artists, Sabine, who will be performing a few songs alongside musician Michael “M.L” Lee Jr.!
Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to connect with the local Togolese community, experience some beautiful art, and celebrate!
meet the artists
Sabine
Medowokpo Akossiwa Mawulawoe, ou Sabine de son nom d’artiste, est née à Lomé le 29 Août 1976. Son intérêt pour l’art s’est développé à l’école primaire oú elle s’est découvert une passion pour la BD, avant de commencer une carrière d'artiste en 1993. Autodidacte, Sabine a participé à plusieurs expositions - au centre culturel français en 2002 - puis à Lomé Togo, à des ateliers de peinture et à plusieurs résidences lors de festivals.
During the opening ceremony, Sabine will also be performing a few songs with musicians Michael “M.L” Lee Jr and Kemet.
Hailing from the “Magic City” of Gary, Indiana, Michael “M.L” Lee Jr. has spent 42 years passionately cultivating his artistry as a guitarist and songwriter. Born into a family that cherished the magic of music, Michael found his muse in the guitar at an early age, and it became the compass guiding his life’s journey. His musical influences, rooted in the soulful sounds of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, have shaped his distinctive style. For the past three decades, Michael has served as the music director of his local church choir, infusing spiritual harmony into his repertoire, and has performed at iconic venues like First Ave and the Minnesota Music Cafe.
Kemet Imhotep, born and raised in St. Paul on the Historical Hilltop in 1971, has always had a deep connection to music. From a young age, he found that music was the only way he could truly express himself and find his voice. As an Acoustic Percussionist, Kemet’s musical journey began in the mid 1990’s with the legendary Elks Drum and Bugle corps. In 1986, he helped form the renowned percussion unit, UMOJA, which performed all over the Midwest and Southern regions of the United States.
Throughout his career, Kemet has also had the opportunity to work with inner-city youth, creating multiple drill teams such as Afikan Perfection, Hamite Nation, and Flawless Drum Line. His dedication to uplifting and mentoring young talent has made a significant impact on the local music scene. Kemet’s involvement with Sommer K Local Artist and Development company has allowed him to continue his work in guiding underground artists helping them find their place in the music industry. For Kemet Imhotep, music has always been a source of healing and clarity in a world filled with chaos and disappointment. He sees himself as blessed and thankful to be a musician, knowing that through his art, he can bring a sense of peace and unity to others.
Awa Mally
Awa Mally, a Togolese photographer in Minneapolis, intertwines her cultural heritage with her artistic vision. Immigrating from Togo in 2003, she discovered her passion for photography through the Walker Art Center's Teen Arts Program and a social justice group she co-founded in 2016. A self-taught artist, Awa has worked with local organizations, created cover art for global musicians, and featured her work in prominent exhibitions, including a downtown billboard project and a show at the Whitebear Art Center. Her recent work delves into the intimate aspects of her identity, exploring themes of blackness, immigrant experiences, youth, and mental health. Awa’s versatility extends to videography, graphic design, and event curating, with a recent focus on moving visuals and community engagement through art direction. Her art celebrates diversity and seeks to connect, engage, and inspire, reflecting a journey of continuous exploration and storytelling.
Godwill Afolabi
Godwill Afolabi, is a 22-year-old artist whose passion lies in the intricate world of realistic colored pencils and graphite pencil portraits. While his primary focus is on portraiture, he is no stranger to experimenting with various mediums such as charcoal, acrylic paintings, and watercolors. His journey in art began during childhood, where it swiftly transformed from a hobby into a lifelong pursuit. In his artistic exploration, he finds joy in learning new tools and styles, a sentiment that has led him to delve into diverse artistic expressions. Whether it's the precision of colored pencils, the boldness of charcoal, or the fluidity of watercolors, each medium becomes a unique language for him to convey his artistic vision.
Opening featuring DJ Alex
Yao GLEY or Alexandre is from Togo. He is married and the father of three kids - a boy and two girls. When arrived in the US in 2015, he first started to DJ at parties for his friends. He got revealed to the public in 2020 when he met Mr Remi Mally at a wedding. Since then, he has been the DJ of the Togolese community but also worked in Africa, Europe, and America. He has been travelling from state to state to play for weddings, birthday parties and a large variety of events.
Also available during this event is the opportunity to discover and purchase items from Togo!
Among the items for purchase are necklaces, bracelets, dresses, bags, and more! These will only be available for purchase during this event, so don’t miss your chance to support Togolese artists!
After the opening night on Friday, March 1st at 6 pm, the exhibition will be open to visitors Monday through Thursday 9 am to 7 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays 9 am to 4 pm. If you arrive after 6:15 pm, please call reception at 612-332-0436 to be let into the building. The exhibition will be on display until March 31st, 2024.
This event is free and all are welcome! Registration is not required, but please consider registering and making a $10 donation to support our cultural programs like this one. Your support allows us to continue the presence of cultural programs which benefit our whole community.