Due to budget difficulties in Senegal; this project has been postponed 
Art work produced by the roster of Passports To Senegal Artists: Leslie Ansley, Vanessa German, LaVerne Kemp and Saihou Njie. Below Hip Hop Producer, Emmai Alaquiva and Cinematographer, Billy Jackson.
UPDATE 9/28 State Department hopes to plan reception for all US participants at FESMAN
UPDATE 7/31 Passports co-founders Christine Bethea and Brenda Brown were recent guests in New York by invitation of Senegalese Cultural Affairs Minister, Seregine Modou Bousso Leye, who has formally extended his invitation to exhibit Pittsburgh artists in Senegeal in December 2010, on behalf of President Wade.
Passports current project is to organize a delegation of six to eight artists to attend FESMAN--the World Festival of Back Art in Dakar, Senegal. Pittsburgh, selected as the G-20 City, only the 37th city for World Environment Day, and as thrice crowned Most Livable City, has a presence on the world stage that is undeniable; making it's arts scene one of the most desirable on the planet.
"We see Pittsburgh's continued growth and visibility as a wonderful opportunity for our arts community to reach out and become more involved in global affairs," says Christine Bethea, Passports Director. "We have a lot to give wherever we can represent, and we're happy to do it."
Passports is in the process of finding supporters for the project, and expects the delegation to leave sometime in mid December for the opening ceremonies of this rare event which has occurred only two other times: 1966 and 1977. It's been 33 years since the last FESMAN was held in Nigeria.
"We are talking to many people both in Pittsburgh and Senegal and doing everything possible to make this a reality," said Bethea who has organized several key multicultural events in the city including Pittsburgh's first art and technology fest this past April. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity."
The artists selected by invitation are multidisciplinary, covering all mediums and will have time to study and observe African master artists. Upon returning; a speaker's bureau will be formed and the artists will available to groups and organizations to talk about the experiences and perform workshops.
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