George Kilpatrick and Sherri Kilpatrick Duchenne at the Opening of “Child of the Universe” at CFAC
I got a chance to check out the inaugural show for mixed media artist and activist, George Kilpatrick, Sr. on Saturday. The show,held at the Community Folk Art Center (CFAC), was attended by community members, artists, as well as the Kilpatrick family.
Media personality George Kilpatrick, Jr. opened the show by reading a poem his dad wrote called “The Artist.” George’s sister Sherri Kilpatrick Duchenne also told a story about how her dad taught the family to harness the power of the pen.
George Kilpatrick, III, a student studying at Howard Unviersity, representing third generation of the family, sang a soulful rendition of “Yesterday,” which reminded me a lot of the Donny Hathaway version.
Unplugged: George Kilpatrick, III, sings “Yesterday” by the Beatles
The show is on display for the rest of this week.
Griot Vanessa Johnson presents George Kilpatrick, Jr. with a quilt
Juan Cruz, Angela Arrey-Watavino, Oscar Garces, and Esperanza Tiebaard
La Casita Cultural Center (LCCC) held an open house tonight with a show to celebrate the work of Latin American artists living in Syracuse. The gallery is located on the first floor of the Lincoln Supply Building on Otisco Street. Artists represented heritage from Cuba, Columbia, Mexico and Puerto Rico. According to Juan Cruz, artist in residence for the Near West Side Initiative, the goal was to create a space to showcase artists working in our city. He said he hopes the show “Motifs, Evocations,” will travel to other venues as well. “Motifs…” will be at LCCC thru September.
Syracuse lost one of its best known photographers last week.
Marjory Wilkins, who passed away at age 81, used her camera to richly document people, places, and events in our city. One of my favorite of her photos is of former Syracuse Police officer Willie Gilbert.
Mrs. Wilkins is pictured here at a show that celebrated her work a few years ago.
Marjory Wilkins with her brother Raymond Werts
We will certainly miss her activism, insight and talents.
Blake Bradford, Director of Education at the Barnes Foundation
Artists and curators discussed the role of the public artist yesterday during the My America conversation series at Syracuse University.
Painter and curator Benito Huerta said it is important to advocate for diversity in gallery staff as well as curators and artists.
After talking about the exhibit that has stopped at SU (next scheduled stop: Miami), then showing some of his favorite contemporary portraits and juxtaposing them with more classic works, Infinite Mirror: Images of American Identity Curator Blake Bradford reminded the audience that we don’t have to sacrifice artistically to pursue diversity.
Richard Breland at Syracuse University discussing his photo collection
Photographer, historian, activist and all-around nice guy Richard Breland attended a public event and talked about his life in pictures tonight. Much of his archive features pictures of Syracuse’s old 15th Ward. Breland’s work, which will be displayed on campus until March, is the latest public showing for the Black Syracuse Project coordinated by Syracuse University.
Reenah L. Golden discusses urban education following her performance in No Child… at Syracuse Stage
I finally got a chance to see the production of No Child… (written by Nilaja Sun) at Syracuse Stage on Saturday. The one-act play features Rochester-native Reenah L. Golden, an actor, poet, activist and educator as the sole performer of nearly 20 characters in a play within a play set in a New York City school.
The direction by Timothy Bond, which featured a photo montage of various Syracuse School district locations, and the post show dialogue with the audience, made for a wonderful theater experience.
ESF students Nick Watkins, Brendan Beeke and Thaddeus Holland set up in a metered parking space along the Connective Corridor on East Genesee Street today.
Cities around the world today celebrated Park(ing) Day, an event to advocate for more green spaces in urban areas.
Several neighborhoods in downtown Syracuse participated, including the Midtown section (pictured above).
Elizabeth Catlett and Tom Huff (Dr. Kheli Willetts in background)
Printmaker, sculptor Elizabeth Catlett, whose career spans more than 60 years, accepts a gift from Tom Huff, stone sculptor and member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation during a artist reception for Catlett at the Community Folk Art Center (CFAC).
