RIPON, CA, May 8, 2003 - Kente Claus®, an inspiring African-American Santa Claus figure created through a collaboration between acclaimed designer Keith Stafford and world-class illustrator Thomas Blackshear, will be available to collectors in mid-May through Blackshear Online.
"Kente Claus was created from the desire to allow children of all backgrounds to share in the wonderment of Santa Claus," says Stafford as he explains the story of this "Ambassador of Good-Will-Inspiring Love, Peace and Unity to All." Dressed in Kente cloth, the royal heritage cloth of Ghana in West Africa, Kente Claus is part of a larger effort to provide children and adults with much-needed, positive African-American figures during the holidays.
Like the enduring legends of Santa Claus, Stafford explains, the African word Kente represents "that which will not tear away under any conditions." As this new Claus "emerges from the brotherhood of Santa Clauses," it's clear his presence will be a lasting one in the hearts and minds of collectors.
Already a successful professional musician and producer, who performed with the hit R & B group the Delfonics in the early seventies, Stafford and his wife Shereen were inspired to found Stafford's Ethnic Collectibles after hearing a young boy ask, "When I go to heaven will I be a white angel?"
As the father of twelve children, seven of which are adopted, Stafford says he has learned that "love is truly boundless, peace is the foundation of joy and unity can make anything possible." Now a successful public speaker as well as a creator of fine art, Stafford is deeply involved in his church and in spreading hope through his inspirational designs.
In addition to being a groundbreaking holiday figure, Kente Claus was illustrated by internationally acclaimed African-American artist Thomas Blackshear, making the figure an important piece for collectors of Blackshear's art.
"I welcome the opportunity to share this edition of Keith Stafford's work with our online community," says Larraine Flemming of Blackshear Online. Because each of the Kente Claus figures available through Blackshear Online site will be signed by Keith Stafford, Flemming encourages Blackshear collectors who attend Thomas Blackshear signing events to take this piece along so they can obtain the signatures of both collaborators.
Each Kente Claus purchase through Blackshear Online also includes a Signed Kente Claus CD, which features the Kente Claus Story and Song performed by the Boys Choir of Harlem and Friends. "Because it conveys the message of Kente Claus more completely, the CD is really an essential partner to the Kente Claus figure," Stafford says. Collectors will have the opportunity to get to know Keith Stafford and learn about his many accomplishments and experiences in a candid, personal chat held on Blackshear Online Wednesday, May 28. Be sure to check the site for more details as the date approaches.
Blackshear Online first debuted as the Collectors' Information InterNETWORK in 1998. The site's name was changed to Blackshear Online in 2001 and it has since become the one-stop Internet site for admirers of Blackshear's extraordinary art.
For more information contact Blackshear Online, Post Office Box 1140, Ripon, CA 95366, Tel. 209/599-8599, Email: info@blackshearonline.com.
