the-composer_web.jpgCORAL SPRINGS — The Coral Springs Museum of Art is hosting Denise Collins and her family collection of more than 50 pieces of original art work, inspired by stories and ancestries of Africa, America and the Caribbean.

The exhibit, which opens Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the museum, 2855 Coral Springs Dr., Coral Springs, runs through March 15. Also on view are works from her father, artist Charles N. Mills and her cousin Edith Humphreys, both deceased. Admission cost is $6.

If you would like to meet Collins to talk about her work while enjoying wine and cheese, a reception is scheduled on Feb. 13 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.  The exhibit and reception are a part of the museum’s Black History Month festivities.

“As a cultural institution, the museum felt it was important to exhibit the works of Mills, Humphreys and Collins, to celebrate Black History Month and celebrate three generations of outstanding artists from Broward County,” said Coral Springs Museum of Art Executive Director Bryan W. Knicely.

Collins was introduced to sculpture by her cousin, Humphreys.

“I was encouraged to join a sculpting class in 1997 by my cousin, the late Edith Humphreys, who was herself a renowned artist in her own right,” Collins said in a statement. “Because of Edith’s prodding, I became very enthusiastic about sculpting and discovered that working in the medium of clay compelled me to use my mind, heart and hands in order to create individual pieces, each with their own characteristics.”

Many of her works have been on exhibit at various places, such as Coral Springs City Centre, the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the African American Research Library & Cultural Center.

“I set a goal to complete approximately 10 pieces a year and since no molds are used to duplicate my pieces, they are one of a kind,” Collins said in a statement. “My sculptures are influenced by many different aspects of life’s surroundings, particularly concentrating on human expressions, and fashioning my pieces to portray motion and fluidity.”

Collins always looked up to her father and admired his work. She took different aspects of art from both him and her cousin.

“I always wanted my dad’s creativity; he made his work come to life and you could relate it to different subject matter.” Collins said. “My cousin created pieces from material and her mix media pieces were amazing. I learned a lot from them when it came to sculptures and art.”