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On Thursday, August 21, the renowned PAFF 2025 Art Fest made a triumphant return to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw, taking place from August 21 to 24, 2025.
By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
(Los Angeles, CA) On Thursday, August 21, the renowned PAFF 2025 Art Fest made a triumphant return to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw, taking place from August 21 to 24, 2025.
The PAFF Art Fest, originally scheduled for February, was postponed following the devastating wildfires that swept through California.
Art collectors, patrons, and enthusiasts were thrilled upon hearing the news that the beloved celebration of Black Art and Culture was returning to the Heart of South L.A.
PAFF has been championing Black artists for over thirty years. PAFF brought their vibrant art show back to where it all began—in the heart of South Los Angeles. Leimert Park Village has long stood as a cultural epicenter for the African American community, and its reunion with Art Fest marks a powerful homecoming.
“Art Fest has always been more than a marketplace,” said PAFF Art Fest Curator Ghanaian artist Allohn Agbenya, in a statement. “It’s a living, breathing celebration of who we are. Returning to Baldwin Hills Crenshaw means reclaiming our spaces, our voice, and our joy.”
Each year, PAFF Art Fest celebrates and highlights featured artists. The 2025 Art Fest featured artists are Bakari Santos and Roye Okupe.
Carlos Henrique Silva dos Santos, known professionally as Bakari Santos, is a Brazilian-born visual artist whose journey from Salvador, Bahia, to Southern California has been shaped by creativity, culture, and craft.
In 1976, Bakari settled in Los Angeles, where he sold his work at Venice Beach and later became a full-time artist. Bakari played a key role in elevating Afro-Brazilian art and culture in Los Angeles. How many people remember the Brazilian stage during the long-running African Marketplace?
PAFF Art Fest got underway with an Opening Night Reception inside the Museum of African American Art, BHC Plaza, 2nd Level, Suite 283. Guests enjoyed the latest amazing exhibit inside of MAAALA, cocktail refreshments, tasty hors d’oeuvres, while celebrating this year’s artists, and previewing their work.
This eclectic evening was sponsored by New American Funding.
The 2025 Art Fest featured over 100 established artists from across the African diaspora. The 2025 Art Fest presented a curated selection of fine art, sculpture, handmade jewelry, wearable fashion, ceramics, African textiles, home décor, collectibles, and more. Each unique piece tells a story—of heritage, resistance, imagination, and identity.
PAFF 2025 Art Fest featured some special programming on Saturday, August 23. How Cartoons Are Made: The Magic Behind IYANU.A special premiere screening of IYANU: The Age of Wonders, followed by a panel discussion. Malik Books hosted a book signing- IYANU: Child of Wonder with Roye Okupe.
Art lovers, collectors, and community members were excited to exclaim that PAFF 2025 Art Fest lived up to its tradition, which is providing guests a chance to celebrate Black excellence while experiencing the transformative power of art rooted in culture.
The Pan African Film & Art Festival (PAFF) is one of the longest-running and most respected cultural events dedicated to showcasing the artistic achievements of the Black and African diaspora. Since its inception, PAFF has provided a dynamic platform for filmmakers, artists, and performers to share their stories, celebrate their heritage, and inspire audiences through powerful and thought-provoking works.
The Pan African Film & Arts Festival will be here before you know it, February 9-16, 2026. If you are a filmmaker or know of someone who is a filmmaker, PAFF is accepting submissions for consideration. Visit https://www.paff.org/about for more information.