Harlem Art Show founder Dion Clarke hopes President Barack Obama pays a visit during his art show’s fifth consecutive year on Island. He sent an invitation after all.

The Harlem Art Show begins its four-day celebration of African Diaspora art on Thursday, August 11 at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown.

Mr. Clarke began the Harlem Renaissance-inspired show in 2009. Each summer it promotes a different theme according to Mr. Clarke. This year’s show focuses on fundraising and youth empowerment, and is collaborating with the local YMCA, the American Heart Association and PeaceQuilts, an Oak Bluffs non-profit dedicated to relieving Haitian poverty.

The Polar Bears, a 70-year-old early-morning swim and fellowship organization at the Inkwell Beach, open the art show’s festivities at 1 p.m. on Thursday. A Harriet Tubman brunch on Saturday at 11 a.m. raises money for the Harriet Tubman Home. Tickets to the luncheon cost $150, and a portion of the proceeds go to the society. Visit harriethouse.org.

The art show features over 40 artists, including John Henry Nichols. A resident of Hawaii for nearly 40 years, Mr. Nichols grew up in Cambridge and participated in Harvard’s Upward Bound program. He looks forward to returning to New England with his 15-year-old daughter.

Other artists in the show include Leroy Campbell, Ted Ellis, Paul Goodnight, Andrew Nichols, Frank Frazier, Woodrow Nash, Michael Escoffrey, Glenn Tunstull and Brenda Joysmith.

Visit hfas.org/marthasvineyard for a full schedule of events and tickets to the Saturday brunch.