African pride, unity and spirituality weave their way through an exhibit of works by cloth artist Evans Ardella &uot;Della&uot; Rucker at the Mostly African Market. The exhibit, which opened Sunday afternoon, can be seen from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays through Dec. 9 at the market, which is located at 125 St. Catherine St.

The current show — Rucker’s second exhibit since she came to work as a display artist for the market eight years ago — features dolls dressed in opulent costumes.

In one piece, a Madonna and Child of African descent are clothed in flowing white robes trimmed with gold. In another, a doll is dressed in the Mardi Gras colors of gold, purple and green, her head topped with a tall headdress of feathers.

Two angels are also featured in Rucker’s exhibit. One is clothed in white, red and green cloth that market Director Thelma Williams imported.

Another, called &uot;God’s Child,&uot; is made of cotton, cloth and coat hangers and decorated with flowing fabric. That piece is mounted on a wood block by springs so that, when touched, it &uot;flies.&uot;

There are also framed pieces such as &uot;The Storyteller,&uot; a turbaned woman dressed in green with gold and white accents in wax, and &uot;Remember.&uot;

In the latter piece, two women of African descent — one darker-skinned, the other lighter-skinned — dressed in purple robes hold hands as they set free two sankofa birds.

The bird, which is always represented looking back at its tail, &uot;represents that we have to look back at our past in order to proceed forward,&uot; Rucker said.

&uot;Remember&uot;&160;conveys the message that &uot;because of things that have happened in the past, we often don’t remember that we are sisters and brothers,&uot;&160;Rucker said.

&uot;But when we think more of ourselves, other people can’t help but do the same.&uot;

Not all of Rucker’s works have such lofty themes, however. One piece with a breakfast theme features a fork and a coffee pot — with the caption &uot;Where’s the Sausage?&uot;

Works of photographer Leon Hollins — who, like Rucker, is a Natchez native — were not able to appear in the exhibit as was originally planned.

But Williams was able to arrange for a private collection of masks and other works of art from Africa and the Caribbean to be displayed in the market’s other exhibit room.

That part of the exhibit features masks that were used in ceremonial dances as well as statues of fertility goddesses and ancestors. A food hook, a cane and a part of a loom, all of which are intricately carved, are also displayed.

A wooden seat displayed nearby was carved with symbols of royalty, Williams said, &uot;although to most people it would just look like a pretty stool.&uot;