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ART GALLERY
Please see below for information regarding upcoming and past exhibits. To schedule private gallery tours or inquire about artworks at the Rhimes Performing Arts Center, please contact Resident Curator, Haley Fonfa haley@debbieallendanceacademy.com
REACH FOR THE STARS:
The Art of Basketball's Golden Era
Two-time NBA All-Star and Champion Norman Nixon, presents in collaboration with the Legends of Basketball, REACH FOR THE STARS: The Art of Basketball's Golden Era. Step into an immersive visual tribute celebrating when the game transcended sport and became a global art form.
Through the lens of photographer Malek Abdul Mansour, experience dynamic never-before-seen images from his
NBA All-Star archives spanning the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, These striking photographs capture the unmatched energy, charisma, and grace of the era that redefined air turning basketball into a global phenomenon to inspire the generations that followed.​
The exhibit creates a powerful bridge between art, sport,
and community—welcoming players, executives, collectors, and fans into a shared experience of reflection and dialogue.
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THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO ATTENDED OUR
PUBLIC GRAND OPENING
Stay Tuned for future events & conversations.
Exhibit on View through Summer 2026.
A portion of proceeds from the exhibit will be benefit the scholarship
and outreach programs of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.
CURRENT EXHIBIT
CURRENT EXHIBIT
PAST EXHIBITS
PAST EXHIBITS
Art Gallery
Art Gallery
Convo in Clay
NBA Reach for the Stars
Unearthed
Conversations in Clay
Live Sculptural Revival with Chukes
Conversations in Clay, a deeply spiritual and once-in-a-lifetime experience with acclaimed sculptor Chukes — marking his emotional return to clay for the first time since the devastating LA fires destroyed his studio.
This three-day event honors resilience, rebirth, and the sacred relationship between artist and earth. Witness Chukes live-sculpt outdoors and culminate the journey with a powerful indoor finale, complete with live performances and community celebration.​
Chukes began sculpting live in the parking lot — a raw and open-air space where community and creative energy can gather. Audience was then invited inside our Wallis Annenberg Performance Space for a transformative closing experience. Chukes completed his work surrounded by sound, movement, and spirit featuring Simone Bonet, Derrick Butler and Kenneth Brown.
Following this event open to the general public, we created a student-wide demonstration class where Chukes led Academy and Middle School students in creating their own masterpieces introducing them to their own power.
HERstory
Originally conceived by Haley Fonfa in 2018, HERstory is now produced by Debbie Allen and Shonda Rhimes. Since 2024, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy is thrilled to present an annual celebration in honor of Women's History Month. Showcasing a rich collection spanning fine arts, film, music, dance, and fashion, HERstory transcends perspectives. This initiative documents the diversity of heritage that parallels identity, femininity, and the connection between our inner and outer worlds.
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Past events include:
Accompanied live music & dance performances at every event
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PAST PARTICIPANTS
Ava DuVernay, Andra Day, Stevie Wonder, Boris Kodjoe, Glynn Turman, Lee Daniels, Sami Miro, House of Aama, Rachel Cargle, Bisa Butler, Bria Murphy, Leon Thomas, D. Smoke, S. Pearl Sharp, Chukes, Jim Pickens, Rickey Minor, Cami Arboles, A.Nichel, Peyton Burnett, Maren Jensen, Jennia Frederique, Sol Aponte, Gia Peppers, Blair Imani.
celebrating women trailblazing in the light
UNEARTHED
A Juneteenth Exhibition promoting Unity, Community & Freedom
EMERGENCE OF THE RESURGENCE​
Showcasing a diverse array of artistic expressions, this exhibition invites viewers to explore the rich tapestry of African American heritage while reflecting on the
journey towards liberation. Through a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia installations, the exhibition delves into themes of identity, heritage, vulnerability and the quest for justice. Each artwork serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of resilience and resistance, honoring the sacrifices of past generations while inspiring hope for the future.
Serving as a platform for dialogue and reflection, fostering connections between artists, audiences, and communities, our debut reception featured an interactive panel discussion and curated live storytelling performances, encouraging meaningful engagement with issues of social justice and systemic inequities. "Unearthed" reminds us of the importance of solidarity, empathy, and collective action in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society. Together, we honor the past, celebrate the present, and envision a future where freedom and equality flourish for all.
​Featuring Debbie Allen’s contemporary retelling of the classic tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses, “BROTHERS OF THE KNIGHT” showcasing original illustrations by Kadir Nelson, curated lineup of accompanying acclaimed and up-and-coming artists, alongside hand selected works from Debbie Allen Gallery Private Collection.
EXHIBITING ARTISTS
Oto-Abasi Attah, Cbabi Bayoc, Brandon Brown, Calvin Clausell Jr., Dezmond Crockett, EJ Hill, Texas Isaiah, Kadir Nelson, Jerekre Okoriogha, Ramsess, John Simmons, Floyd Strickland, Lee Tonks, Poorteffy, Carl Wesley, Devin Wesley
JOHN SIMMONS A.S.C. Solo Exhibition
Thank you to all who came out to celebrate our Annual Gala exhibiting artist, none other than legend breaking black history himself JOHN SIMMONS, A.S.C. A timeline of truth from the voice of the vigilant, A Night To Remember offers a transformative journey through life cycles of passion and freedom; “It All Started in the Sixties” still seeing the clear parallels of our worlds today.
John Simmons is an Emmy Award winning cinematographer, photographer, painter and mixed media artist. He is the Vice President of the American Society of Cinematographers, and has served as an Adjunct Professor in the Television/Film and Theater Department at UCLA for twenty-five years, continuing to mentor many up and coming cinematographers. From documentaries to music videos, commercials to features,Simmons continues to carry a still camera everyday and his photographs are held in the collections of: Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA; Missy Cochran Foundation, Museum of Contemporary Photography of Chicago, IL; Harvard Art Museums, Harvard University Boston, MA; David C. Driskell Center, University of Maryland; Center for Creative Photography, The University of Arizona; Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX; High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA.
Solo exhibition on view 11.16.23-02.22.24.
HAWK: Celebrating 100 Years of Vivian Ayers
Thank you to all who joined us as we celebrated cultural activist and American classicist, Vivian Ayers' 100th birthday with the republishing of her NASA recognized epic, Hawk (1957), showcasing never before seen book illustrations by world-renowned artist and educator, John T. Biggers along with guest artist accompaniment, including Karon Davis, Sara Golish, Peyton E. Burnett, and Kathryn Garcia.
To purchase HAWK (1957), republished by Clemson University, available in paperback and hardcover, click here. Coffee table book availability to be announced soon.
Limited edition, museum etching paper reproductions of John T. Biggers' illustrations are also available for purchase. Only 3 numbered, framed and signed reproductions of each artwork are available.
HAWK exhibit on view 08.03.23-11.01.23.
PARTICIPANTS
Cory Henry, Jesse Williams, Alexis Floyd, Karon Davis, Sara Golish, Peyton Burnett, Kathryn Garcia, Brandon O' Neal, Willie Ferguson, Emily Carr, Simone Bonet