Stamford Community Art Reception

Stamford's public schools participated in Black History Month with a Community Art Reception on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 at the Palace Theater in downtown Stamford. Themes of the work include poetic justice and African American artists during the Harlem Renaissance.

Stamford resident Michelle Phillips looks at the various artwork on display at the Community Art Reception at the Palace Theater on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. Stamford's public schools participated in Black History Month with the gallery and had precisely 100 pieces of art available to view.

Eleven-year old Heaven Robinson, from Toquam Magnet Elementary School, poses in front of her piece of art.

Valerie Cooper, founding owner of Picture That art gallery, addresses the crowd at the Community Art Reception inside the Palace Theater on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. Cooper helped organize the gallery with various Stamford public schools to celebrate Black History Month.

A portrait of Toni Morrison, drawn by 12-year old Nathalia Vasquez of Stamford High School, is one of 100 pieces of art on display at the Community Art Reception on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 at the Palace Theater in downtown Stamford. Various Stamford schools created works of art based on several themes of Black History Month, including poetic justice, African American artists during the Harlem Renaissance, and Make Health a Habit

Westhill High School junior Degaulle Dumay photographed himself for the Black History Month Community Art Reception, combining himself with a lion, on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 at the Palace Theater in downtown Stamford. Dumay wrote below the photograph, "Growing up I never knew who I was. Later in life I realized everyone is different and everyone has their own inner beast. This is mine."

Second grader Blake Cortell poses in front of his artwork during the Community Art Reception, which various Stamford schools participated in, on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 at the Palace Theater in downtown Stamford.