JANUWA MOJA

( BALTIMORE SUN / August 15, 2011 )

Designer Januwa Moja has been dedicating herself to celebrating the African Diaspora through the creation of wearable art for the past 40 years. Moja, a Baltimore native who now lives in Washington, D.C., will showcase her African-inspired designs Aug. 20 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum during "Art of Adornment," a workshop that ties into the exhibit Material Girls: Contemporary Black Women Artists. Moja refers to her designs as "regalia," because she says her creations include authentic fashion of the Diaspora. Moja says she uses unique combinations of traditional African dress and jewelry to "teach lessons about the treasures of natural, organic magnificence." She adds: "The fashion industry has brainwashed us into thinking about beauty in one kind of way; I want to challenge people to go beyond that."

Attend “Art of Adornment” Aug. 20 at 3 p.m. at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $6 for youth. Children younger than six are free. Call 443-263-1800 or go to africanamericanculture.org.