"Urban Portraits, II." The African-American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago will host an exhibit and lecture featuring artist Jim Silas Smoote, II. Smoote's exhibit is a collection of contemporary portraitures. Each creation is a series of quilted pieces with acrylic paint applied to the surfaces.

"For the past 20 years, Smoote has been exploring mask and fetish images through the media of fiber and fabric," said Philip Royster, director of the center and professor of English and African-American studies. "His works appears in numerous public and private collections throughout the United States."

Lecture/Opening Reception
Dec. 7
5-8 p.m.

Addams Hall, Room 207
830 S. Halsted St.

The exhibit and lecture are part of "Cultural Heritage Through the Arts"- the center's year-long visiting artist series.

"This series intends to increase cultural understanding among people from diverse backgrounds," said Royster. "If nothing else, the exhibits and lectures will help participants learn to use art to understand what it is to be human and how humans achieve within a complex social order."

"The exhibitors of 'Cultural Heritage Through the Arts' challenge audiences to address discrimination, racism and prejudice at the same time that they demonstrate that art transcends cultural differences," said Royster.

The exhibit runs Dec. 1-31. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., or by appointment. Artists interested in being a part of future visiting artist series should contact the African-American Cultural Center at (312) 996-9549.

Funding for the series is provided, in part, by grants from the Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation and the Student Activities Funding Committee of UIC.