A `Bronze Kingdom,’ far, far away from Disney

Orlando is a mecca of summertime family vacations. Between the attractions offered at Universal’s properties, which include the original Universal Studios (which includes the Wizarding World of Harry Potter), its Islands of Adventure (which includes even more Harry Potter) and its water park,Volcano Bay, a family would strain to experience it all, even with ample time. Throw in the wonders of SeaWorld and a family’s entire vacation could be spoken for.

Then there’s the Mouse. Mickey Mouse, that is. Orlando is the home to the Walt Disney World Resort, and the vast empire its multiple properties represent is synonymous with the Florida city. As fun as Disney World can be, grown-ups sometimes need a break from roller coasters and long lines behind other adults wearing baseball hats designed to look like Goofy, floppy ears and all.

The good news is that you don’t have to look far. Ping-ponging around Disney’s bubble, it’s easy to forget that nearly a quarter of Orlando, Florida’s population is Black. During a recent trip to Disney, on a friend’s advice, I carved out an afternoon to drop by Bronze Kingdom, a Black-owned African art gallery and museum on the city’s north side.

I arrived on a blazing Sunday afternoon, and Bronze Kingdom’s parking lot was overflowing. From my rental car, I watched streams of young, fashionable locals make their way toward the grand arched entrance. The vibe was trendy, buzzy – not exactly what you expect at a gallery. I soon understood why: Bronze Kingdom was throwing a day-party.

The place was in full-tilt: reggae music pulsating, bartenders serving up spirits to throngs of dancing, hookah-puffing patrons, the sound of laughter and banter enveloping it all. At that moment – and with zero evidence other than the energy around me – I knew this was by far the best party in Orlando. A guide explained that renting out the 8,000-square-foot space for parties and other events helps keep the museum doors open.

The gallery owner is Rawlvan R. Bennett, a collector and philanthropist. His passion for collecting African art was borne during several years living in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since then, he has spent nearly 40 years collecting artifacts from around the continent, many from African dignitaries. Bennett opened the gallery in 2017 to display – and in some cases sell – the art in his collection.

At the top of the staircase is Bronze Kingdom’s cavernous gallery. The collection is impressive in its range and media, boasting some 2,000 pieces of African bronze, beaded and wooden sculptures from across the continent, including Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and The Republic of Congo. The artisanry of the works is breathtaking. Some of the grandest pieces, such as those from the Benin and Bamoun kingdoms, date back to the early 1600s. In adjacent rooms are collections of African American paintings and murals of Black leaders and activists, a cool contemporary twist. My favorites: the Nelson Mandela and the Barack Obama galleries.

After viewing the exhibit, I took some time to peruse the gift shop. The shelves were full of African jewelry, clothing and artifacts. Browsing the shop, I marveled at the eclectic mix of merchandise, sourced from all over the continent. The bounty overwhelmed and, yes, I succumbed, purchasing all sorts of stuff for me and my family, including a necklace (South African), sandals (Madagascar), a couple of dresses (Ethiopia), a handbag (Congo) and a lamp (South Africa).

The spree was intense, and I walked out of Bronze Kingdom reflecting on the price tag. But there was no remorse; just a sense of pride and astonishment that I had found a place in Orlando where Mickey Mouse wasn’t the star.