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Artist Cbabi returns to campus

Grambling State University’s Art Department will welcome back alumnus and former Gramblinite cartoonist Cbabi Bayoc as the guest artist for the 2008 Spring Celebration of the Arts. Dunbar Gallery is featuring an exhibition of Cbabi’s work through March 4, on which day he will present a lecture on his work from 10 a.m. to noon in the Black & Gold Room of Favrot Student Union. A reception for the artist will be held at 6 p.m. March 4 in Dunbar Gallery.

The public is encouraged to attend the lecture and reception. Original art works and prints of works will be available purchase.

Cbabi Bayoc graduated from GSU with a B.A. in art in 1995 and now resides in St. Louis. As a student at GSU, Cbabi was known as a talented artist dedicated to communicating positive messages through his art and his personal life.

As an artist who knows and lives his mission, he creates art which reflects his love of music and family. In 1997, he changed his name from Clifford Miskell to Cbabi (pronounced Kuh-bob-bi), Creative Black Artist Battling Ignorance, because he wanted a name that always reminded him of his purpose in life. After meeting his wife he added a last name Bayoc, which stands for Blessed African Youth of Creativity.

Cbabi has created a successful career for himself becoming part of a new generation of young African American artists who have received acclaim for their work and dedication to art.

After a summer stint as a caricature artist at Six Flags, Bayoc mastered his particular style well enough to publish monthly illustrations in Rap Pages magazine. Various musicians, including the artist formerly known as Prince, have used Bayoc’s caricature work on album covers and in music videos.

His illustrative work and his caricatures have been commissioned by Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch, and SIDS Resource. Cbabi’s work is included in the permanent collections of Rhode Island College, Southwestern Illinois College, and numerous other private organizations.

He has illustrated two children’s books, one that promotes early childhood learning and one that addresses issues of a young child growing up in the inner city. As a young artist himself, he has managed to establish a career in art and to maintain strong family values. Cbabi is an excellent role model for other young artists and people of all races and ethnicities.

Other activities planned during the Celebration of the Arts include a High School Student Exhibition March 5-28 and a Children’s Art Fair April 2.

The Celebration of the Arts is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana State Arts Council, The Louisiana Division of the Arts, the Office of Cultural Development, the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism and the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.

The gallery is housed in Dunbar Hall, on Hutchinson Street. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Accommodations are available for large groups and people with special needs.

For more information, call (318) 274-2274. Cbabi’s Web site is www.bayocstudios.com.