Students, faculty, artists and art-lovers gathered Saturday at SF State’s fine arts gallery for the new International Center for the Arts inaugural event, entitled “To Cuba With Love.”

Whether it was the bright sun and aqua blue sky or the excitement of a new art center, smiles and laughter created an aura of content and delight throughout the art gallery.

Attendees of the event became even more excited when an announcement was made that Mambo innovator 86-year-old Israel “Cachao” Lopez was on his way in to share in and witness the opening of the center.

The art center’s main exhibition, “Afrocuba: Works on Paper, 1968-2003,” a book of various pieces of AfroCuban art created by Art History Professor Judith Bettelheim, was the first of a series of events scheduled for the day. Others included a performance by the Bay Area-based Cuban band, “Palenque,” four documentaries, and a video installation.

But nothing started before the Lucumi (AfroCuban) blessing.

Prior to the exhibitions commencement, two priestesses stood at the entrance of the art gallery, and while facing the large crowd of people, began to recite a Lucumi blessing. One priestess said the blessing while the other created a constant, rhythmic beat with a musical shaker. The blessing, according to the priestesses, was said in order to create a positive feeling for the day.

“It was pretty intense. I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but I could feel the goodness that came from it,” said Alysa Dupree, 24, a student at City College of San Francisco.

Loud, harmonious singing followed the blessing among some people in the crowd. Feelings intensified as the singing got louder. Even people who could not speak or understand the language began to dance and sing along.

After 20 minutes, the blessing was over, the song had ended, and the doors to the new art gallery opened.

Snowy white walls were filled with diverse and colorful AfroCuban art. The exhibition gives audiences a chance to see nearly four decades of artistic production shaped by the cultural influences of AfroCuban religion, contemporary social issues, questions of cultural heritage, and personal and diplomatic relations with Africa.

Many people at the event were extremely pleased with the opening.

“I think this is great, not too many things are going on about Cuba,” said Cuban native and artist Elsa Mora. “And Cuba is a very active country.”

Even United States natives had a strong appreciation for the event.

“It’s nice to see diversity and I’m glad to see an event geared to the arts,” said Lanice Eddington, a native of Detroit, currently residing in the Bay Area.

After browsing through the gallery for a while, people would aonder around, chatting, eating an assortment of Cuban appetizers that were set up for those in attendance and making their rounds either to catch the next documentary, or dance to the polyrhythmic tunes of Palenque.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, especially Bettelheim.

Every once in a while she could be spotted signing books, greeting and talking to guests, all the while looking extremely proud of how the opening turned out.

“We were so honored that 86-year-old Cachao wanted to be here ... and the priestess blessed us,” said Bettelheim with a huge smile on her face. “And Cachao’s wife said we did good. Those forces were with us today.”

The day even turned out to be a learning experience for some.

“I didn’t even know much about AfroCuba before today, how people were sent from Africa, the history,” said SF State student TuJuania Campbell, 25. “I think the event was a great learning experience.”