By Rose Picón, staff writer

Most Americans know about African American history and how Africans were forced to leave their homeland and become slaves. We have read or know first-hand about the hardships of slavery and the inequality that African Africans have continued to face long after slavery ended. African Americans have been silenced in this country for decades, which has led many to express themselves in a way that has required no words: through the creation of art.

The Community Folk Art Center (CFAC) on East Genesee Street has been collecting art that tells the story of African Americans. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of CFAC’s existence, the gallery is hosting an exhibition called “African Diasporan Treasures,” which boasts a plethora of African Diasporan artwork and more.

The African Diaspora is the period in which Africans were taken from their homeland in order to become slaves for Europeans. Since the Diaspora affected people for such a long period of time, the pieces greatly range in age. Some are as new as 2011, while others date back to the early 1900s.

The exhibition features traditional African sculptures, prints and paintings, but also reveals diverse styles of 19th century art, including impressionist, cubist, expressionist, realist and symbolic. Although there is certainly a repetition of subject matter, the exhibition is filled with vibrant color and variations of style, making it impossible to lose interest.

Given the main subject of the exhibition, the pieces on display are emotional, passionate and stimulating. Most reflect the oppression that African Americans have faced throughout history, as well as their culture and pride. While the majority of the pieces are by African or African American artists, some are also by Spanish artists. Without a doubt, all have an engrossing story.

Chain Gang, for example, an impressionist-style painting by Joel Gaines, shows prison workers in a field while a foreman, holding a massive rifle over his shoulder, watches over them. This piece was created in the 1970’s, when Jim Harithus was the director of the Everson Art Museum and started an art program with inmates at Auburn prison. Gaines, convicted for murder, was a prisoner and used art as a way to set himself free. The piece has become well-known throughout upstate New York and nationally.

CFAC is rich in history and has focused on creating a high-quality space for African Diasporan artists since 1972. The “African Diasporan Treasures” exhibition should not be missed and will be up until December 10^th. For more information, visit CFAC’s website, or drop by the gallery at 805 E. Genesee St., just steps off the Connective Corridor, a FREE bus service!