Echo Gallery II - Mark Cottman's The Feeling of Jazz with an intro. to Malik M Lloyd's Thinking Hats - DC Reception: June 30, 2003.

Mark Cottman, is a self-taught award winning contemporary artist who favors jazz, abstracts and nudes. His rich and colorful portrait paintings of popular jazz artist are full of the life and energy that was the essence of those that he portrays.

Malik M. Lloyd's Thinking Hats: "Thinking Hats are created to continue this effort to stimulate concentration and deeper intellectual thought. In this first series of Thinking Hats, my goal is to bring this old expression to new life through the use of African/Egyptian designs, text and hieroglyphics--all of which represent various aspects of intellectual thought of the oldest civilization. By incorporating such well-known African/Egyptian symbols and images as the Winged Scarab, which represents good luck; the Adinkra, the symbol of the omnipotence of God; the Ankh, the ancient Egyptian symbol of life; Thinking Hats function to blend innovative concept and aesthetics. Simultaneously, they challenge the wearer to be more knowledgeable of the ancient symbols/text and what they and this ancient culture represent."

"The Feeling of Jazz" and "Thinking Hats" at Echo Gallery II, located in the East Hall of Union Station. This exhibit will be on display from June 1, 2003 through July 18, 2003. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from 10am-9pm and on Sundays from noon-6pm. The artists reception will be held on Monday, June 30 from 6pm to 9pm. Echo Gallery II, 202/842-8400.