Staten Island, NY – Celebrating Real Family Life is proud to present an afternoon of art and discussion with a rare exhibit of the works of Portraits of Black Love (PBL), a fine art and graphics company based on Staten Island.  The event will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2006 at 2pm, at Muddy Cup, 388 Van Duzer Street. 

Portraits of Black Love (www.portraitsofblacklove.com) is a collection of artistic expression of African American art and the world around us. Created by native Staten Islanders, this exhibit combines incomparable original writings and colorful art that brilliantly captures the poignant moments of love, family, struggle and the spirit of African American People.  Founded in 1995 by five creative entrepreneurs, the company’s mission is to create and distribute artistic products that promote love, family, inspiration, culture and spirituality.

The Poetic Art, also known as "Portraits" is the signature product of PBL. Each portraits is printed on richly textured hand-made paper, and encompass backgrounds that are individually painted with watercolors and custom framed. No two portraits are ever identical. Each painting is actually an original work of art.  There are seventeen individually titled Portraits to choose from.

From the bondage of slavery to the private ecstasy between soul mates to the joy of family, each PBL series celebrates the transcendence of Black Love, touching on matters of the heart, mind, body and spirit. Man to man, son to father, and husband to wife...these works pay homage to the strength, unity and resilience of the Black family.

Also see first hand, PBL’s Diompe Hobe Collection (pronounced “Dump Ho-Bay”) or better known as the Jumping the broom invitation collection.   This unique collection of African-inspired wedding invitations is based on the ancient West African tradition of jumping the broom.  The brooms traditionally decorated with ribbons, was waved over the bride and groom’s head in order to “sweep” away evil from the couple’s path.  The broom was then placed on the ground and the couple jumped over into a new life as husband and wife.  The spirit of this ritual is captured through the Diompe Hobe Wedding Collection.  

  Celebrating Real Family Life is an organization devoted to providing educational workshops to the Staten Island community in the areas of marriage, parenting and family wellness.  Please join us for a day of reflection and beauty.  Proceeds from any PBL purchase will be donated to Celebrating Real Family Life.  This is an exhibit you would not want to miss!  For further information, please contact Tammy Greer Brown at 718-595-2116 or email us at celebratingrealfamilylife@yahoo.com. 

Celebrating Real Family Life, Inc., P.O. Box 140974, Staten Island, NY 10314

718-595-2116 phone/718-701-1197 fax number; email: celebratingrealfamilylife@yahoo.com