Coinciding with the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. in January and Black History Month in February, the Art League of Long Island is planning an exhibition featuring African-American artists of Long Island titled “Black Voices.”
The exhibit will run from Saturday, Jan. 16 through Sunday, Feb. 21. There will be an opening reception on Sunday, Jan. 24 from 3 to 5 p.m.
These artists, from Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties, some well established in the art world and others less well known are all of exceptional skill, expressing themselves in a multitude of styles and mediums.
Whether or not these artists depict the black experience in their work, they cannot help but express who they are, their heritage and cultural experience.
It is the Art League’s wish to provide a venue for an African-American art exhibition in Suffolk County and to initiate a dialogue between the individual Long Island communities — all of whom, together, make up the larger Long Island community.
The artists participating in this Exhibition include Abdul Badi (oil paintings), David Byertyre (sculpture), Ramona Candy (collage), Robert Carter (oil painting), Panchita Carter (jewelry), Madona Cole-Lacy (textiles), LeRoy Henderson (photography), James Hoston (oil paintings), Rod Ivey (paintings), Laurence F. Lee (sculptures), Charles Lilly (oil paintings), Karl Mcintosh (primitive, found art), Otto Neals (paintings), Donovan Nelson (paintings), Philippe Previl (paintings), Ernani Silva (collage and mixed media), Ken Smith (paintings), Ann Tanksley (paintings), Emmett Wigglesworth (paintings and sculptures), Frank Wimberley (non objective paintings), and Ken Wright (stained glass).
To assist in encouraging open dialogue, the Art League is planning the following projects:
• A video to show in a loop in the gallery: Interviews of artists in the exhibition in which each artist will discuss their work, the sources of the themes and their process.
• Educational Guide: available both in digital form from our website and book form for visiting families and school groups. The guide will suggest ways that teachers and parents may engage in discussions with children about the exhibition and Black History Month. One work from each artist will be featured in the booklet and questions encouraging discussion about each work will be posed, encouraging thought and analysis.
• Workshops will be offered for both young people and adults offering opportunities to explore their creative selves and learn new and expanding artistic methods. Emmet Wigglesworth (www.emmetwigglesworth.com) will conduct a three-day workshop for children and adults February 16, 17 and 18. Workshop description: In honor of our exhibition “Black Voices,” we are proud to present this interactive workshop featuring the art work of painter and muralist, Emmett Wigglesworth. Interwoven throughout Wigglesworth’s abstract murals and paintings are scribbles, geometric shapes, and bold color; symbolizing African culture, and figures who seem to “embody spirituality, humanity, beauty and power.”
Wigglesworth has taught students of all ages, including a 2013 residency at Nassau Community College where he taught students how to create art inspired by their cultural heritage. Wigglesworth has said that “his murals purposely feature cutouts of all shapes and sizes to symbolize transparency and openness as the answer to ignorance and to offer a window into the soul of an artist.” Come together at the Art League and experience something magnificent! Open to students 10 and up – families welcome! Tuesday/ Wednesday/ Thursday: February 16, 17, 18, at 10 a.m. — 1 p.m.. Members: $150. / Non Members: $170.
Other possible workshops may be conducted by artists James Hoston www.jameshoston.com (young adults and adults), and Ken Wright http://kenwrightglass.webs.com.
• Lecture by Sheril Antonio, photographer and filmmaker. Dr. Antonio is an Associate Arts Professor in the department of Art and Public Policy and the Associate Dean of the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television, Tisch, NYU. https://tisch.nyu.edu/about/directory/app/3520732
“Black Voices”, will consist of two to four works by approximately 20 artists. Each will bring their own perspective and vision.
