Bronze Kingdom, considered as one of central Florida’s best kept secrets, offers something for everyone

(Black PR Wire) Orlando, Fla. – One of the best kept secrets in Orlando is sure to draw interest from around the world. Bronze Kingdom is an African art museum and gallery, which houses an exquisite collection of art from 28 countries on the African continent. In particular, it has the world’s largest collection of African bronzes.

The combined gallery and museum is the idea of its founder and CEO, Rawlvan R. Bennett. Bennett is an African American. He started collecting art from Africa as a young man. At first, he acquired pieces that art collectors often start with. He then became more engrossed in African art and purchased rare, historic and exceptionally beautiful pieces. He since has collected more than 2,000 pieces.

Bennett acquired this work over 37 years directly from African leaders through cultivated relationships and respectful negotiations, building schools, hospitals, and bridges for West African communities. Through his connections with the tribes throughout the continent, he has been able to assemble one of the finest African bronze collections in the world. Bennett moved to South Africa 10 years ago.

Bronze Kingdom represents an important spectrum of African bronze, beaded, and wood sculptures from all over the continent including Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and The Democratic Republic of The Congo. Especially notable are grand palatial pieces from the Benin and Bamoun tribal kingdoms, some dating back to the early 1600s.

Bronze Kingdom is more than an African art gallery to Bennett, though. It also fulfills a wish of his for patrons to learn the history of the African people. “To understand that African Americans are not only descendants of slaves,” he said. “Slavery is a part of our history, but it is not the whole story. Our story begins with our ancestors in Africa who were Kings and Queens, and our legacy is told through the stories of their African artifacts that we will now call African Art.”

Bronze Kingdom is sure to be an unusual and interesting attraction for anyone during a trip to The City Beautiful. Visitors can see and enjoy world-renowned African pieces, learn about the art and its history, and purchase breathtaking original artwork, if interested. It is not the normal attraction one would expect from Orlando or Central Florida. When visiting the Magic Kingdom, please consider a stop to the Bronze Kingdom as well.

The 16,000-square-foot gallery and museum is open to collectors, institutions and the general public for sales, educational tours, cultural programs and exclusive events. Social distancing guidelines are followed which include temperature checks, wearing of a mask, and remaining 6 feet apart.

Bronze Kingdom is located in Orlando Fashion Square mall on the lower level next to Premiere Cinema 14. The address is 3201 East Colonial Drive, M16, Orlando. The showroom is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and by appointment only on other days of the week. Admission is $5 per person. Guided tours are available for $12 for adults, $9 for seniors, $7 for students with proper identification, and $7 for kids 12 and under. For more information, call 407-203-8864 or visit www.bronzekingdom.com.