The Nbari African Arts dream came to fruition in April 1968 with the establishment of an ethnic Gifts and Arts boutique in Los Altos, California. The joint efforts of Isaac "Ike" Guinn and his wife, Cozetta Gray Guinn, produced the Grand Opening in July 1968. The Shop served as a cultural resource, as well as a business featuring imported African hand-crafts, art, fabrics, and clothing, along with African-American artists' works and fashion designs, including paintings from the palette of Cozetta (Cozart™, a valued segment of Nbari Art).

Our contacts with African students and families at Stanford and U.C. Berkeley broadened our horizons on the vast beauty and variety of African art and culture. In fact, the name "Nbari," which loosely translates into "thrilling to behold," was selected through the help of a Yoruba engineering student at Stanford. We came to know and buy art from knowledgeable African art dealers who dealt with museums and serious collectors. A special space of the Shop was sectioned off for the display of museum quality pieces; thus our African Art Gallery was born.

Subsequent travel to West, Central, and East Africa afforded direct involvement with indigenous art and culture and focused our interest on traditional arts. Emphasis was placed on selection of culturally significant sculptural representations of traditional masks, figures, and other objects. Cozetta was privileged to spend time living in the home of an extended Yoruba family, that of Dr. Jerry & Dr. Adenike Grange, while volunteering at the National Museum of Nigeria. There she assisted with the development of a booklet, "2000 Years of Nigerian Art," for FESTAC 77' exhibit, at the time, the Nigerian National Museum was under the Directorship of Dr. Ekpo Eyo.

Cozetta has applied her multiple talents and expertise throughout the conception and evolvement of Nbari. Her education (B.A. in Art and M.A. in Social Sciences with a specialty in African History), along with her experience as an art teacher, art historian, art docent at a world-class Museum, and as a painter have proved an invaluable asset. Our clients get the benefit of her consultation along with the artistic and cultural profiling of purchased pieces.

Ike's education was scientifically oriented (B.S. in Physics) and his working career was spent in the Defense/Aerospace industry. Now retired, his role is to handle the business and operational aspects of Nbari. He has an abiding love and appreciation for African Peoples, their art, and their culture. His interest in, and passion for the traditional symbolism, mythology, and distinct characteristics of African art endures.

We continue to enjoy promoting African and African Diaspora art and artists through Exhibitions, Presentations, and Receptions. We thank the many past and existing customers and supporters, and especially the firm Webface(sm), a division of Qenaven, that developed our website. The Nbari/Cozart™ team looks forward to building relationships while serving and satisfying "you."

Ike & Cozetta Guinn