In 1995, Glenda and Milton Boone took on a new mission: to promote art by African-Americans.
They rented the basement of a local church in downtown Baltimore, displayed the work of six visual artists and drew a crowd of about 300.
What was then a little-known, grass-roots effort has since ballooned into a large African-American celebratory event in the Mid-Atlantic during Black History Month, drawing 46,000 attendees, according to its founders.
Now in its 13th year, the annual Black Heritage Art Show is scheduled to take over the Baltimore Convention Center from Feb. 15-17, showcasing the talents of more than 100 artists, including poets, gospel and jazz musicians, and actors.
"The Boones felt that minority artists were not getting the recognition they deserved in the art marketplace, so they used this as a vehicle to give African-Americans and other minorities a chance to sell their work," says art show spokeswoman Belinda Merritt.
The exhibition is owned and operated by the Boones' Visual Arts Marketing Corp., which has its headquarters in Baltimore.
This year's festival will feature a mixture of R&B;, soul and gospel artists. Scheduled to perform are Elbie, who was born in Ethiopia and raised in the Washington area, and Carronne Jones-Grant, a Washington-Baltimore native who will sing tracks from her CD Expressions.
Gospel recording artist David "Davinch" Chance, one half of the recording duo Ruff Endz who began his career with the acclaimed R&B; album Love Crimes, is also scheduled to perform.
The packed weekend will also feature author and playwright Tiffany Alexander, who will read from Braided in My Hair, and a meet-and-greet with actor Jermaine Crawford of HBO's The Wire. Travis Winkey, a Baltimore legend, will put on a fashion show.
The main stage will be the site of modern dance and belly-dance performances.
For the first time, the festival will host a talent showcase and competition put on by Genese Music and Entertainment Group. The winner will receive $500 and the opportunity to join one of Genese Music's labels. Applicants ages 18 to 34 will be allowed to enter the contest and can perform all genres of music.
The exhibition also is family-friendly.
Although no child care will be offered, children are encouraged to paint and draw in a "Children's Village" and hang their artwork on the wall. There will also be children's performances on the main stage.
The festival marketplace will have a large variety of items for sale, including wall and glass art, sculptures, clothes, and hair, body and aromatherapy products. Patrons also can partake in health-and-wellness and financial seminars.
One of the goals of the festival is to bring the legacy of art and culture to at-risk youths residing in disadvantaged communities.
"The African-American visual artist is the unsung recorder of black history and heritage," said Glenda Boone. "Their work reflects the essence of life in the African-American community; it highlights the culture, religion and struggle. In order to continue this rich legacy of visual enlightenment, we must inspire youthful artists to develop and pursue their heritage in the arts."
To make this a possibility, the festival is hosting a WEAA 88.9 FM-sponsored "Jazz Soiree" and silent auction; proceeds will benefit the African American Visual Arts Association's scholarship fund.
An award of $500 to $1,000 will go to a high school senior interested in pursuing art in college. Students must submit an essay and examples of their work to qualify, Boone said.
Sponsors for this year's festival are Comcast, ABC2, Caribbean Cruises, Maryland Lottery, Genese Music, WEAA, Noventri and E&J; Gallo Wines.
For a complete schedule and more information, go to blackheritageartshow.com or call 410-340-7089. The festival hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 15 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 16 and 17. Admission is $5; children younger than 13 are admitted free.