Adenike's Arts

 To create is a healing, holistic, living way of worship, praise and prayer to the Creator! AMEN

Adenike's Business

Thank you for visiting my sanctuary: www.adenikesart.com/

     Born in England, raised in an Air Force-military family, Adenike was fortuned with the chance to spend her adolescence touring Germany and other parts of Europe. Adenike graduated from the University of Kansas, in Lawrence, with a major in Fine Arts, Sculpture and a Minor in Graphic design in 1989. She studied bronze casting and fell upon old classic references that revealed examples of West African Bronze casting, predating the “bronze age” in China! It was there when she discovered her roots and heritage, in African art and culture. At that time, West African art was not even mentioned in the texts and lectures of “World Art History.” Felix Omololu Oyeleye ran a small business then, selling West African cultural products. Oyeleye opened a pathway of knowledge on the traditions of African culture and thought, which spread throughout the Midwest.

     Moving to Kansas City with her two children, Adenike took the name Adenike AmenRa to align with a new awareness and respect of her cultural roots. The name Adenike is Yoruba for “Ade -The Crown- is precious!  The name AmenRa is Egyptian and refers to the origins of life and the light of creation- according to ancient Kemetic philosophy. Her name bridges east and west Africa, as well as eastern and western philosophy. Adenike has always worked as an Instructor and tutor. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Cross categorical Special Education. 

     Adenike has written several essays on a variety of subjects and maintains a blog and newsletter online with www.adenikesart.com/. She reads widely with an eclectic appetite, including; The Art of War by SunTzu, African holistic Health by Llaila O Africa, Back to Eden, by Jethro Koss, Esoteric Psychology, by Alice Bailey, Medu Neter, by Ra Un Nefer Amen to Tar Beach, by Faith Ringgold. She has also danced with a local, West African inspired, cultural dance group; Byrd Fleming’s Traditional Music Society and sang backup with a reggae band called Deepa Reality. She currently sings 2^nd Soprano with Kansas City’s, Ebony Choral!

Following my Dreams...

In 1995, Adenike founded her company Adenike’s Arts, as a mobile sales vendor specializing in handmade African, Caribbean and Southwestern inspired notions, furnacing and accessories.

She studied and created, many original African styles, techniques and applications, like Tie and Dye, wax and paste resist, and mudcloth on textiles, jewelry making, relief carving in exotic woods, doll making, quilting, and African dress. She is a lecturer and Storyteller.

Adenike views “Art” and her creations as a healing holistic therapy, and a living way of worship, praise and prayer to God! She wants to share Gods energy through the touch of her hands.