ARTFUL EYEFUL EVENT SHOWCASES SIMI'S BLACK CULTURE.

Byline: Joseph Giordono Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - For Mary Winn-Howard, Saturday's Afro-Centric Art Walk and Poetry Reading was more than a chance to show off the wares of local African-American artists and writers.

It was also an opportunity to show that while Simi Valley's African- American community might not be large in numbers, it is a strong and growing presence.

The third annual festival, Winn-Howard says, is an important element in fostering a sense of community for African-Americans.

``Until we put on the first marketplace three years ago, I didn't even know the size and vibrancy of the black community in Ventura County,'' said Winn-Howard, a Moorpark resident.

``It is a wonderful opportunity for other people to see our lifestyle and culture.''

Winn-Howard is president of the Afro-Centric Committee of Ventura County, which seeks to promote education and appreciation of African- American culture through various aspects of entertainment, health awareness and historical preservation.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit the committee's scholarship program.

``I think that blacks made up about one-quarter of one percent of the population when I moved to Simi Valley. But it's expanded to at least a percent-and-a-half now,'' joked Thomas Spears, an artist who has lived in Simi Valley for 18 years.

According to figures from the United States Census Bureau, African- Americans make up less than 2 percent of Simi Valley's population.

``But this really is a great way to get the community together and hopefully let some black people know they are not isolated,'' Spears said.

Spears, who played football at UCLA and is now a full-time artist, was displaying and selling a variety of his art.

Other participants included poet Billie Jean Young, who lives in Alabama and became associated with the festival through a professional connection with Winn-Howard.

Young has published poetry books, recorded a volume of spoken word performances and performs a one-woman show that has toured 45 states, China, Africa and Central America.

Local musicians, including flutist Charles J. Howard and percussionist Oliver Brown, accompanied several of the poets.

``I came here with the attitude that I am going to have a blessed time, whether 10 people or 110 people showed up,'' said Trina Ross, a Simi Valley poet and founder of Operation Encouragement, a prison ministry.

``I came expecting a blessing today, and I think that has occurred.''

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color in Simi edition only) Trina Ross reads poetry Saturday at the Afro-Centric Art Walk and Poetry Reading at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center.

(2 -- color -- ran in Simi edition only) Artist Thomas Spears listens to a poetry reading Saturday during the Afro-Centric Art Walk and Poetry Reading at Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center.

Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News