Federal Building Shows Off Black History Month Works
February 7, 2009
By GRAHAM LOVE
Index-Journal staff writter
Greenwood, SC - A Black History Month exhibit, as part of Uptown Greenwood’s First Friday, had people flocking to the Arts Center at the Federal Building on Friday night.
Artistic designs lined the inside walls, creating an artistic interpretation of black culture.
Local artist Jeffery Callaham had five paintings displayed at the event and said the inspiration for the works were his own experiences.
“Most of my paintings are about growing up in South Carolina,” he said. “That’s the theme I have chosen for tonight. A lot of it is inspired by my life experiences.” |
Clients from the Burton Center tell people about their artwork at an exhibit at Jon Holloway’s Sundance Gallery. (Staff photo by Graham Love.) |
To get his message across, Callaham said he uses geometric designs.
“I guess I’m doing something right, because I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and say they were attracted to the paintings because of all the shapes and colors,” he said.
Another artist who garnered plenty of attention on the night was Elizabeth Columba, who featured five paintings.
Columba said most of her works are themed around black women, and the paintings she brought with her to the event were centered around the South.
“I tried to pick some paintings that I thought would best represent the South and the culture here,” she said. “And having never been to the South before, it was a little difficult. But now, I am happy with the ones I chose.”
And during her first trip to the South, she said she was pleased with how hospitable the people of Greenwood were.
“It is wonderful here,” Columba said. “Everyone is just coming up and talking about the paintings, telling me how much they like them. The people here are just so nice.”
Arts Council executive director Anne Craig said she was pleased with the number of artists at the event and the quality of work on display.
“It is wonderful to have so many people here tonight,” she said. “But we expected a big crowd tonight, so we got what we expected.
“And everyone here is getting to see some good art. The quality of artists and their work that we have here tonight is excellent. It’s the best of both worlds for us: a big turnout and great quality work.”
The Federal Building wasn’t the only place for art on the evening though. A large crowd was also at Jon Holloway’s Sundance Gallery on Maxwell Street for a Burton Center photography exhibit.
The exhibit, titled “Through Their Eyes,” featured photographs taken by Burton Center clients and allowed admirers the viewpoint of a person with disabilities or special needs.
“We are just so pleased,” Burton Center executive director Felton Burton said. “You can look at our clients and see how excited they are about displaying their work tonight. I’m just so proud of them and really happy with the turnout.”
Others happy about turnout were representatives of Meridian 12. It is next door to Holloway’s and helped add to the steady flow of traffic in-and-out of the studio on the night, according to Dohnna Boyajian.
Meridian had a Valentine’s Day theme, with pictures of hearts and flowers lining the wall. The studio also had poetry readings, pencil portraits and Origami demonstrations for children.
“We’ve got a lot of things going on tonight,” Boyajian said. “I think everyone that has come out tonight has enjoyed themselves. There is something for everyone here.”
|